So here’s something I can really post on without my conscience hammering away at me (despite the fact that I have friends in the show; here on b.LA, opposite from my actual “real” work, I’m an artist first, a writer second).

Dover’s Infusion Gallery downtown on Spring Street will play host to the latest Cannibal Flower show tonight. These things go down every month, and along with the openings at the Hive often seem to host some of the more promising groundswells of local artists. The Gallery Row artwalk and a schlep through Culver City are great ways to see the cream of the crop of both locals and international artists, and to get the flavor of what’s leading now in the art world–however, I dunno about you, but by the time their work hits these galleries, I can’t afford it (sorry, Caryn–I’m just dirt broke). Cannibal Flower shows, anything at the Hive, and also any of those hepcat Project: gallery events (recently relocated to Culver City) are good places to hone your tastes, decide what you like and don’t like, and handpick work by artists while they’re still affordable. There’s a lot of crap (as my professional mentor & spiritual guru says, “Most art sucks“), but there’s a lot of really fantastic work too. I might buy something tonight if I weren’t savin’ up my dough for a final trip snowboarding* this next week. Cannibal Flower shows are a cavalcade of DJ acts, bizarre bands (I liked the ninja band from a few shows ago), outrageous art, live painting, and peoplewatching unrivalled in Los Angeles, except possibly by Venice Beach. They’re so much more than an “art party”–it’s like an art carnival, with all the ribald insanity and off-the-hookness that implies.

Also tonight at CF is a performance by Lolita La Vey’s burlesque troupe [let me take a moment here to sigh with regret at the road not taken...sigh], who are effing awesome, and who, if you haven’t already seen ‘em at El Cid, you should totally check out.

Dress totally weird and they’ll let you in as “walking art” for a discount. Address and info on the flyer at right: click to embiggen.

Blogged to the sounds of Athalia’s early ep from a few years ago; the dude has worked with Dntel (The Postal Service) and Strictly Ballroom, and is now known as The Minor Canon (myspace). They have a residency at Spaceland next month. I still have a soft spot for Athalia.

*also know as, “falling on my ass in the snow repeatedly while sliding down a mountain”

This was my view out the window from the Burger King at LaBrea and Sunset. I made sure to chew every bite.

I’m lucky enough to not be addicted to shoes, but some of my friends aren’t quite so lucky. When a new pair of limited edition shoes come to market these shoe junkies end up waiting in line for hours to get a $200 pair of Air Jordans. Tonight one of said friends gave me a ring and asked me to come down to Blends, the local high end specialty kick shop, and wait in line to help them expand their collection. I took a few shots of the goods, we’re actually still waiting now, they gave us raffle tickets on the way in so that at midnight the first people in line can get one of the 22 pairs of Nike Air Jordan Laser Vs. Nike only made 20,000 of these shoes and each have a unique laser engraving consisting of line art from every air jordan ever made. They won’t be as rare as the new Kobe shoes of which only 81 pairs will be made to commemorate the game where he scored 81 points.

Update Well I didn’t get a pair… my number was one off of the last pair. Oh well, shoe karma.

[rub picture gently to enlarge]

I shit you not, I was at Neiman Marcus yesterday and I found at least one display featuring these Man Panties.

Dolce and Gabbana, Prada, and others designers, and I’m sorry to add that I failed to check the price tags so I have no idea how crazy expensive these are.

So tell me: What kind of man would wear such a thing?

As if the Neiman-Marcus Last Call Sale weren’t enough (Manolos in the low $200′s for gods’ sake!), today I got this postcard from Diavolina.

They’ve taken 50% off all fall and winter merchandise, which is not limited to just shoes.

Sale starts Thursday Jan 11th and they’re open M-Sat 11-7 and Sunday 12 -5.

DIAVOLINA SHOES
156 S. Robertson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
310-550-1341

Anyone who has ever stepped into a Paul Frank store knows that some of the most sought after things they sell are the limited edition collaborations. In the past they have teamed up with The Andy Warhol Foundation, LA Artist Mark Ryden, The Elvis Presley Estate, and even Barbie and Hello Kitty. The results of those partnerships usually sold out in minutes and the only way to get your grubby mitts on them was to pay 4x retail price on ebay. Well, this weekend they are selling limited quantities of these products at the Paul Frank Store in LA (7964 Melrose Avenue – Friday and Saturday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm). The sale begins Friday and ends Sunday but don’t even think about lining up earlier than 7:00am on Friday or they will kick you the hell out. And likewise if you try and buy more than one Barbie. Are you already doing backflips and checking your savings account at the thought of this? Here’s the details.

I agree with Curbed LA that talking about H&M coming to Los Angeles is beating a dead horse. So I’ve put my entry about my visit this weekend behind the cut to spare those who may not be interested. For those of you wanting to know how bad the lines and inventory shortages are…entry is below.
Read the rest of this entry →

[of course click to embiggen]
Are you looking for some amazing, gorgeous, one of a kind handspun yarn?

If not, then too bad for you. If so, you need to head to The Little Knittery right away. I mean, just look at some of this:

[you simply MUST click!]

Although it would seem they have a sign, it’s pretty damned small and I missed the place the first time around. Just remember it’s next door to House of Pies and you should be fine.

It’s small but they have some Really Great Yarns, and Julie is super-nice. This is exactly what you want to think of when you think “local yarn store.” With so many knitting places springing up all over, it’s great to see this place singling itself out with all its gorgeous one-off skeins and hand-dyed cashmere.

Yes, I’m finally making the cashmere socks I’ve long been dreaming of – oh and yes I should mention that the left half of the store is neat and interesting clothing….
Read the rest of this entry →

Looking forelornly this weekend at the rack where my copy of Los Angeles Alternative usually sits I find I’m still in denial over last week’s demise of the weekly paper in its printed form, but I certainly wish it the best in its endeavor to transtion to a web-only publication and checked in this weekend to find the following teaser on their front page:

Tees of the young and the restless might not be the weightiest issue to tackle, but who says every week has to be about perchlorate, gentrification and massaged-with-release city hall officials. Besides, I sooooo know who that dude is in the middle.

I was meeting a friend for lunch at Town and Country in Silverlake when I noticed a long line of guys waiting to go into a store. I asked around and it turns out they were waiting to buy limited edition tennis shoes. As I ate my lunch I ogled the impeccably cleaned shoes of everyone in line. One girl had coach style chuck taylors!

And you might not think they types of guys are fashion conscious!

[for the love of god only click if you want to see this REALLY BIG]

Yeah I did say I wouldn’t post any more about Felt Club but they’ve changed their venue and I feel you have the right to know.

Today (sorry I didn’t post sooner) marks the first indoor Felt Club, at their new venue, THE ECHO.

Hours are 11-6 TODAY, Sunday, and the address is

1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park

[click/make big]

Is it just me or does this seem like a long way to go for an obscure dirty joke – this was taken yesterday at Glendale Galleria at the custom embroidery kiosk.

I don’t know what type of destination garment this was for or who was supposed to wear it, and I doubt the person setting up the computer even got the joke….

[of course you should click the pic]

After posting about the Habu Textiles trunk show, I kind of figured that the Fabulous Fiber Fest probably deserves an entry of its own. Last year I got lots of great yarns, accessories, and yes I even got me a niddy noddy. Not that I’ve used it yet, but I do know people who do!

This is a great place to get yarn, accessories, and all the stuff you’d expect from a yarn store, but it’s also where you will see people using full-on spinning wheels and stuff you just don’t see every day.

Great for meeting fellow fiber enthusiasts, learning a new trick or two, or just recharging your creative batteries.

Bead & Fiber Show
“Fabulous Fiber Fest 2006″
August 18th – 20th, 2006
Hour: Fri. & Sat. 10:00-6:00, Sun. 10:00-4:00
Read the rest of this entry →

Want to knit or crochet with – say – Stainless Steel? Silver wire? Bamboo or some other crazy textile? Want some wildly futuristic patterns to test your skills?

Then Habu Textiles is your man.

As luck would have it, they’re coming to WILDFIBER in Santa Monica this Saturday, and they’re bringing their trunks!

This coincides with this weekend’s FABULOUS FIBER FEST, and although I’m not sure Habu is part of Fiberfest, they were last year.

Takako, the designer, will be in the store with her beautiful range of yarns, kits, and display garments. If you love unusual and completely original fibers and designs, this trunk show will thrill you.

Saturday August 19, 11am-4pm.

Please note: Park in the parking lot next to Wildfiber, in front of Custom Quik Sign and Tatyana Thompson.

for more information 310-458-2748

LA Eyeworks has done it again.

I just love the glasses with the crazy “half a zipper” design element. I went in there today for an adjustment and encountered these new sunglasses – they look like Nancy’s head!

[in case you didn't know - and yes please click for biggenating]