a pastoral for LA

(a poem I wrote, as published in The Los Angeles Miscellany 2009)

millions of cars on endless pavement
zoom past palm trees on abbot kinney
to get to venice beach
i had my feet in california sand,
pacific ocean water
that chilly shade of blue—grey—dirt

i felt the santa ana winds on my face
and saw fire on the hills somewhere in the distance
smoke replaced the smog
so cal sunshine dulls, almost disappears
but no one takes off their sunglasses

i look down from the bluff across the vast expanse of
buildings and streets to the hollywood sign
that shines more brightly than the sun
like the bigger than life celebrities who
always seem smaller in person

walking down rodeo drive to buy prada and chanel
doesn’t beat melrose in the middle of a sunday
afternoon when shabby chic finds new levels of
timeless elegance and grunge never smelled better
we pass on the moca and the getty
so i can have my picture on sunset boulevard.

Happy Birthday

Photo By: Smiley's Sweets and Creations

Today, I am no longer 21. However, the past year has given me more love than I ever could have imagined. A new chapter is about to begin in my life, and for the first time I have absolutely no idea where that will actually take me. As my friend pointed out to me, I begin this week with my birthday and end it with graduation from college. For now, I am just enjoying the ride.

To see more delicious treats, click here.

Changing a life begins with a single step...

Photo Courtesy of TOMS Shoes

Today I purchased my first pair of TOMS Shoes from a store on Abbot Kinney. Who knew they were actually really comfortable too?! I'm definitely a fan, so these will not be my last...

"TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about.

Since our beginning in May 2006, TOMS has given over 140,000* pairs of shoes to children in need through the purchases of caring customers. Because of your support, TOMS plans to give over 300,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world in 2009." -Taken from TOMS website

*As of April 2009

To learn more about TOMS, click here.