Timeless

Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur / WireImage; Found on: Style.com

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.

Life is Good.

Photo Credit: PostSecret.com

I am behind on posting, but I felt compelled to share this PostSecret with you in this time of recession, depression, and stress.

With three and a half weeks left in my college career, I seemed to naturally ease back into my 2008 life perspective.. We can't control most of the things that happen to us, but as long as we make decisions whole-heartedly and with a purpose we can regret less and live more. College is too short for second guessing. Every choice you make can affect the person you become. So listen to your heart, choose wisely, live passionately, and no matter what you can be happy with the results.

(Unless you're a really negative person, then I can't help you.)

Your Vehicle Is Illegally Parked.

Photo Credit: PostSecret.com


For the first time since I was 17 (that time was on Irving for an abandoned parking meter), I got a parking ticket. There is a two-hour limit, and I had left my car from 9 AM to 2 PM. Surprisingly, I was not angry or upset when I saw the god-forsaken piece of paper waiting for me on my windshield. Maybe because I knew I had it coming, and maybe I was glad it was a ticket and not a tow.

I drove down the block to my usual lunch place and decided to eat-in today so I could avoid having my car on that street for a while. A man on crutches and his parents walked in about ten minutes after I sat down. While I was eating, I felt him look at me and assumed it was because I was eating by myself. (This eating alone thing was a first for me today, and I must say I am not a fan.) When I finished my meal and paid the check, I glanced over at their table and realized I'd seen that man before.

Last week after I picked up lunch, I backed out of a parking spot in a tight alley and stopped an inch before an illegally parked car behind me. Right after I stopped, I heard a guy yell "Hey!" I opened my window and told him that I had seen the car, and please notice that I stopped. He said "Okay. You came this close" and proceeded to give me this smile that probably meant "You're an idiot. Learn how to drive." I was heated as I drove away and wished evil on him and his vehicle.

Looks like The Secret works after all.

Oh, and I came online to pay my $50 of civil duty only to find out that my citation won't be in the system until 2-5 days after it was received. If you're going to give me a ticket, I beg of you to let me pay for it and move on with my life within 12 hours.

So, to you, Officer ***, I wish you a lifetime of paper cuts.

Who Needs an Outfit When You Have Great Shoes?

Photos for Jimmy Choo

These images are part of the Spring 2009 ad campaign for Jimmy Choo. As we all know, sex sells. And I heard in this time of recession, condom sales have gone up. I suppose it makes sense: Love is free.