Lazy Leopard

Diamond in the Rough

2011-10-12T13:28:00.000-07:00

On my recent annual trip to my "home away from home", San Francisco, Ca, I got to spend one day snapping great photos for my portfolio in West Oakland. Sure, the city is one to be dealt as it's a rough diamond that has yet to be discovered. Naturally, I was scouting the area for some good eats as I was working up quite an appetite. Then along my snapping journey, I came across this stand alone "modern day" soul food restaurant, Brown Sugar Kitchen. What I admired the most was that this hot spot cooks with locally grown, organic and seasonal ingredients whenever possible. The delicious baked goods and hot entrees are inspired by Tanya Holland's interpretation of soul food. Her influences are a concoction of her African American heritage, her formal training at Le Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in France and her general appreciation for a wide variety of cuisines. You can definitely taste the love in each bite! So next time you take a trip over to the San Francisco area, I highly recommend you treat yourself to something so good!

Brown Sugar Kitchen

Sweet West Oakland

2534 Mandela Parkway

Oakland, California 94007

Stay Sexy

2011-08-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

There's nothing better than speaking your mind on matters that mean the most to you. Thus, I was surely impressed with this fresh and edgy, new age hipster clothing company known as, Sober Is Sexy. Sadly, there are many of people out there, including myself, who have known people to succumb under the spell of substance abuse. The good news is there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. To provide those with moral support and several resources to clean up their lives can prove to save lives. Which is why I have much respect for Sober Is Sexy clothing and accessories. There are several ways you can make a statement ranging from loudly stated apparel for both men and women to tote bags and jewelry and 5% of each purchase goes towards a substance abuse organization. So go ahead and be sexy, help save a life and get your shop on.

Visit Sober Is Sexy

Alluring Antiquities

2011-08-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

There's nothing this girl loves more than to accessorize my favorite outfits with rustic jewelry. Sure, anyone can go to the local swap meet in hopes of finding that rare vintage jewel to add to your latest collection, but why not go straight to the pot of gold? This is exactly how I felt when I came upon my latest discovery and new favorite jeweler, Erica Weiner. This grassroots gal started out creating her own jewelry in her apartment back in 2005 and since has been collecting amazing treasures throughout her travels to use them in creating a line of jewelry that surely emphasizes exquisite craftsmanship and now her line is being sold in shops all over the world! Her line has a wide variety of jewelry pieces for just about every occasion ranging from necklaces to engagement rings. Check out some of my favorite pieces below.

Pair of Late Victorian Belt Bracelets

Birdcage Earrings

Deco Engagement Ring with Curving Filigree

Visit the Erica Weiner Online Shop

New Kids On the Block

2011-08-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons as to why I simply adore where I have grown my own life roots in good old Long Beach, CA. Aside from the sunny days at the Pike to enjoying my Jameson and tonic water at the local Hip-Ster bars on 4th Street, what I appreciate and love most is the diverse and creative counter culture uprising in the underground. There are many days, if not most, where I still feel young at heart despite the fact that years seem to pass by like months as of late as I recollect the sweet and irreplaceable memories of the more youthful days. Recently, As I was driving in my car, I happened to be driving behind a car that had an unfamiliar bumper sticker which reads "livevil". I was a bit curious but went on with my day forgetting I'd ever seen it. Two days later as I was on the road to the dance studio, I saw that same sticker again on another car! I was then, even more intrigued. Naturally, I turned to Google to inquire about this new "hype" and I liked what I found. So today I wanted to provide you with a peek inside the uprising of the newest kids on the block, who have come together to make their mark starting with their clothing line that speaks for itself, LIVEVIL. Still curious? Visit their online STORE to see what all the hype is going to be. You just might thank me later :)

Let Them Eat Cake

2011-07-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better to me than having a few sweet treats! I am a fan of it all...pastries, cupcakes, muffins and the list goes on. That is why today I wanted to share a special treat with my readers today! During my recent trip up North, I had the pleasure of coming across a cute, vintage style bakery located in Arroyo Grande, called Eclair Bakery. They had everything from Crumble Top muffins and fresh baked bread to irresistible Apple Turnovers and heart warming Red Velvet cupcakes (which is an absolute favorite of yours truly!) Their customer service is surely impressive and most welcoming. You can feel the passion for making special baked treats to share with their customers just by walking into the kitschy bakery, which I feel most standard bakeries lack. So next time your sweet tooth is aching for something special and you are near the area, I highly recommend going to this lovely little bakery! They also specialize in custom orders and decadent wedding cakes!

Eclair Bakery

117 East Branch Street

Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Phone: (805) 481-7654

Animal Style Artillery

2011-07-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

One thing this lovely leopard enjoys is to take in every beautiful day in the diverse city of Long Beach, CA. Over the weekend I had the pleasure of heading out to the grassy knolls of the Marina Green to listen to live bands and check out hip new vendors while sipping on a cold and refreshing Blue Moon. One vendor I was pleased to come across is Arm the Animals (ATA). Being an animal lover myself I was so happy to see a clothing company with a purpose I fully believe in. Arming animals with artillery and giving them a voice of preservation. Their collection for both men and women is simple yet strongly stated with images of animal silhouettes armed with various weapons. Even better than their celebrity supporters such as Andrew Keegan, Shannon Elizabeth and Shilo Fernandez defending the defenseless is their current partnerships with rescue shelters, Bark of Love and Strangest Angels. So go ahead and check out some of this swag with a purpose below, animals all around the world will thank you.

Check out more styles at Arm the Animals

Natural Instincts

2011-07-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

City life for me can get a bit overwhelming at times. Between the city's racing heartbeat which thumps to the tune of the local police helicopters and tricked out cars whizzing by, it can lead me to feel a bit restless and longing for a few days of tranquility and solitude. So I've had the pleasure to escape the tight grasp of the fast pace city life, which has been the best inner self cleanse I've had in a long time. So as a tribute to my lone wolf-like get away I a wanted to share with you an amazing jewelry line that sells intricately adorned rustic jewelry pieces and primeval talismans. Founded in New England, Cloven has an array of jewelry pieces which will allow you to always surround yourself with natural beauty even if you don't have time for a quite little get away. Check out some of my favorite pieces they currently have available for purchase below.

Trouvere of Gryphon's Moor

The Rath, Aspen Wood Necklace

My Undying Honor, Filigree & Bone Necklace

To check out more goodies visit, Cloven

AMAZING

2011-06-21T23:59:00.000-07:00

Bird's Eye View

2011-06-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

Many of us are familiar with the traditional birdhouses which are plain jane style homes to accommodate your local feathered friends. I know that personally, I am all about upgrading the home style so why not let the birds in on having a nice modern day home too? This is sure to not only add a stylish and quirky unconventional style to your own patio or yard but you can provide style for your favorite neighborhood sparrow. Even if you are not quite a fan of bringing all the birds to the comfort of your home this would also double as a nice stylish accent piece for the interior of your home! If all else fails this talented woodcrafter also has iconic style patio tables and wall panels for the inside of your beloved home. Check out these modern day birdhouse favorites created by nathandaniels below!

nathandaniels

Modern Day Romeo

2011-06-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

I just came across this powerful image on Yahoo News spot today and I had instant goosebumps from the unintentional snapshot by a news photographer during the hockey riot in Vancouver. I mean, what woman wouldn't want to have her worries instantly removed by a simple and romantic gesture in the midst of chaos and terror brought on by an overdose of testosterone (over a sport none-the-less)? Guys, I would say review and take notes of this one man's quick thinking cause this is surely one way to win hearts over many! I'd say this is definitively an iconic kiss that is up there with the August 14th, 1945 "V-J Day Times Square Sailor Kiss"...and they say "hopeless romantics" are a thing of the past...

Photo taken by Richard Lam

Perfect Little Princess

2011-06-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

Staying young at heart is essential in the coming years of adulthood. I for one, am a firm believer that no matter the age its good to live like you mean it. So why not dress the part? I was very excited when I discovered an amazing independent custom dress maker company, Ouma! I couldn't take my eyes off these well crafted dresses that emit such a delightful feeling of living out your inner princess self. Each dress is custom-made-to-order and is accurately fit to your measurements. Between choosing from hand dyed fabrics and custom details to your liking, you will surely feel like royalty when creating the dress of your dreams! Check out some of my favorite pieces from their collection below.

Cirque Party Dress

A Whimsical Spring Dress

Blushing in Pink Dress

So go ahead and treat yourself at Ouma's Shop

Don't You Know?

2011-06-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

There's nothing more fabulous than being clever and witty. I feel it breeds a sense of fun and laughter when used appropriately. Even more so being a Star Wars fan myself when I came across this set of solid sterling silver rings that have all of the above I was beyond ecstatic! I thought these would make the perfect wedding bands for any bride and groom who loves to add a touch of unique and thoughtful cunningness when solidifying their infinite union! The Han & Leia ring set is created by spiffingjewelry and at a very reasonable price of $100. So if you know you love it just say I do!

For more cleverly stated jewelry pieces visit SPIFFINGJEWELRY

Blast From the Past

2011-05-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

Years ago I had worked at a PR firm in Hollywood, CA. At times I was blessed to be living any fashionista’s dream, then other times it felt like a scene from Devil Wears Prada. Although it had its moments, overall I was beyond happy to be surrounded by such great fashion and accessories, “Living the Dream”. During my time there, I learned about this amazing woman who has a keen eye for amazing vintage pieces named, Doris Raymond. Her delicately amazing collections are kept in her store The Way We Wore. It is like the Nordstroms of all things fabulous with pieces from the 20th Century. Her collections consist of casual to high-end vintage clothing, accessories and jewelry, Couture and pręt-a-porter to Ethnic clothing and textiles and prototypes of all kinds. Some of the mentionable designers you will find amongst her fashion treasures are Dior, Galanos, Versace, Pucci and YSL. She has items that are there to surely please anyone’s personal style and taste. Next time you are needing that great pair of vintage shoes or a great original 1920′s dress, take a trip out to L.A. and raid “grandma’s closet”. Check out some of my favorite pieces from her collection below.

Versace Chagall Dress

1920′s Beaded Flapper Dress

Chanel 1930′s Attribution

Miyake 3d Ensemble

The Way We Wore

334 S. La Brea Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90036

Can't Beat Cheap

2011-05-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

Living in So. Cal surely has its benefits of having more sunny days than most states. Thus, in LA there are many who know how to roll functionality into style. One style that has been on the forefront in Long Beach, CA is brought on by the local fixed bike rider hipsters. As the streets fill up with fixed bike riders who are taking advantage of the newly laid bike friendly streets all around downtown. Often you’ll find them sipping on hot coffees while choppin’ it up at Portfolio Coffeehouse on 4th Street’s Retro Row. One common denominator I’ve taken note to is the hat factor. Very few are spotted without a cap of some sort, which also happens to spare one from those awkward sunglass tan lines. Being that I am quite the social butterfly who flutters around Long Beach as tho its my personal playground, I had the pleasure of befriending the owner and designer of the Long Beach, CA based hat company, OG Cheap. The leader of the pack,”Oh” (pronounced: OHH-EE) is a branding mogul who has taken on the edge of what we all love living the CHEAP life with his line of simplistic style baseball caps. They come in a variety of colors and select designs. Being one of having simplicity over a multitude of over the top designs, specifically for caps. This one surely rates 5 stars in my book.

OG CHEAP BLOG & SHOP

Leather Knuckles

2011-05-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

Do you love glitz, glamour and fashion? Well I absolutely do! I've spent some years living in Southern California's epicenter where fame, fortune and fashion is a part of your everyday life right on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, CA. I was in the thick of it all, working and one of the few living in one of Steve-O's (from Jackass) "domains" and rubbing elbows with the sub-elite. I assure you it was quite the experience of a lifetime that could possibly leave me to write memoirs of my Hollywood adventures...one day. During my time spent there I was on a merciless journey to find the latest and greatest accessories and apparel, considering I had it all within arms reach. One brand that will stick with me forever is Seril, created by designer Marjori Seril. It was her vision of cultivating her luxurious vision of creating high end accessories line that holds the essence of Hollywood street life. I can say with confidence that she has achieved just that! It felt like sheer ecstasy when I was first introduced to this amazing brand. Seril has a variety of badass knuckle clutches and handbags. It surely has also caught the eye of the rich and famous as Angelina Jolie has been spotted rockin' my personal favorite of the collection, the Knockout Clutch. Check out these great pieces that just may be worthy of your hard earned cash!

Baaa Baaa BLACK SHEEP

2011-05-08T15:15:00.001-07:00

This is dedicated to all the little Black Sheep out there in the world...you are still loved.

WHOOs There?

2011-05-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

I've always been a fan of the wise old owl seeing as I can closely relate to them. They are solitary and nocturnal birds of prey. The mystical owl is also the Greek Goddess's symbol which signifies wisdom and watchfulness. In nature they are elegant creatures that leave much to the imagination. I love to surround myself with items that inspire me, so collecting owl memorabilia is apparent in my home. Naturally, I am always on the hunt for great owl themed items. Thus, I instantly fell in love with the brand, I Sew Lucky created by a busy mother of five. She hand crafts the cutest plush owls I've seen in a while. Her creative use of fun patchwork is incorporated into each owl giving each one a special uniqueness to them. They come in array of various sizes and uses. I was abound with joy when I saw she even has plush owl bookends! This is surely to be a must have in any indie style home to add just the right amount of whimsical style I feel is needed in every home! Check out some of my favorite plush owls available at the I Sew Lucky online boutique!

I Sew Lucky

Mother's Day Gift Guide

2011-05-03T22:39:00.000-07:00

As Mother's Day approaches, I thought I would seize the opportunity to scour the goods that would make for great gifts for all the hip mom's out there. I feel that uniqueness and creativity are most essential when it comes to gift giving. It shows that you have put in the time and consideration when selecting your gifts. Show your mom that she is one of a kinda with some of these great and creative gifts!

Anuhea Ice Gray Vegan Bag

$98.00

By TRACCEbags

Floating Leaves Ring

$12.00

By Undeadmushroom12

Grow Bottle Herb Growing Kit

$35.00 each

By Potting Shed Creations

The Story of A Lifetime Memoirs Book

$45.00 ($40.50 if purchased online)

Barnes & Nobel

Monogram Cozy Robe

$79.00 ($59.00 online special)

Pottery Barn

An Almond Delight Gift Set

$65.00 (FREE Shipping)

By L' Occtaine

Lobster Dinner Delivered

$59.99 and up

By Lobster Anywhere

Edible Arrangements (My personal favorite!)
$25.00 and up
By Edible Arrangements

Lazy Day Travels: Pismo Beach, CA

2011-05-03T10:25:00.000-07:00

In lue of Mother's Day coming up, I wanted to share my recent trip to one of my favorite little beach towns, Pismo Beach, CA. I had the pleasure of spending time with my beloved son for an early Mother's Day trip. It was a beautiful sunny day and thus, I could barely contain my excitement as we cruised up the 101 highway. After we arrived, we cruised the main street shops filled with candy stores, surf shops and amazing small town restaurants before hitting the sand. One store I am surely a fan of is Pancho's Surf Shop. There you will find sweet surfer boys who will provide you with top knotch customer service. I was surely amazed at the clear blue water despite the fact that it was a bit frosty. Several hours later, we had worked up quite an appetite as we had tuckered ourselves out from running up and down the shoreline combing the beach for sand dollars and sea shells. We headed over to Brad's Fish & Chips which is one of the two best places in town to have a bread bowl choc of clam chowder along with a plate of their delicious fish & chips. The other sweet spot for a hot bowl of well crafted clam chowder is Splash Cafe, if you can handle the long line that wraps around the corner. Afterwards, we made a pit stop at Hot Lix candy shop to check out the mystifying chocolate covered crickets and earth worms (although I was not daring enough to give one a taste test). I highly recommend everyone to take a trip to this amazing beach town which is made for tourists, surfers, skaters and bikers alike!

Heaven on Earth

2011-04-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting up with a dear friend of mine for coffee. So we decided to head towards downtown, enjoying the beautiful sunny day as we walked. As we were carousing the kitschy shops and cafe's on Linden and 1st street, we came across this amazing store called GypCee Trunk Show. I was immediately intrigued as the inviting scent of softly burning sage draws you near. Upon entering the store I instantly fell in love! This Eco-conscious store has many treasures from organic teas to hand-painted leather clutches and amazing feathered accessories. The best part about the store is that they fully support sustainable and Eco-conscious businesses! Walking through this store felt like Heaven on Earth and the vibe is more than welcoming! I also had the pleasure of speaking with the genuinely sincere owner Angela Aldatz. She is a beautiful soul who shines brightly like the sun. You can sense her passion for life is imprinted within the walls of her store. So if you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by the store as you just might fall in love as I have!

Store Owner, Angela Aldatz

GypCee Trunk Show

440 E. 1st Street

Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 951-0272

GypCee BLOG

Paint Me Pretty

2011-04-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

I fully believe in diversifying one self. What a better way than to take a gander at the latest emerging artists and their wordless visions. Being an artist myself, I can fully appreciate the hard work that goes into creating your thoughts into brush strokes. I love all sorts of art types and mediums from acrylics to architecture. I find it inspirational to see others who turn their passion of self expression in to a form that can be shared and loved by others. That being said, I would love to take the time to share the work and name of a talented San Diego, CA based artist. Jessica Grundy owner of Solocosmo. Her soft spoken art work definitely adds a punch with her use of colors and intimate details. Even better she has jewelry pieces that features her art! What I enjoyed most about in regards to learning about Jessica, is that she I like to dust and vacuum on Sundays. Check out some of my favorite pieces of her art work.

Solocosmo by Jessica Grundy

Get In My Belly!

2011-04-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

So I just had to share my latest find of this most amazing new casual style restaurant. Located in the heart of Downtown Long Beach, CA, Tasty Pasty surely knows how to whip up the best Shepard's Pies in town! I discovered this hidden treasure when I was helping my friend out by working a shift at the Rhythm Lounge on Pine Street. Due to typical night club hours I finished work a bit after 2 AM. As the last of the One Love Community crew were heading out, the super awesome owner of Tasty Pasty approached us and let us in on their good treats they have to offer! Not only was I amazed at the fact that they were still open to serve delicious food but they let us try their Apple Pies too! They also have items on the menu that are Vegetarian friendly! So next time you are hit by a serious hungry feeling swing on by the Tasty Pasty!

Tasty Pasty

245 Pine Ave. #130

Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 388-5007

www.tastypastys.com

LB Lovin'

2011-04-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

So today I would like to continue on for my deep love for Long Beach, CA by introducing ONE LOVE COMMUNITY. It's a movement that is continuously gaining momentum amongst the Long Beach underground kids. It's a culmination of various artists ranging from Reggae to Hip Hop to film makers and the list goes on. To stand behind ONE LOVE COMMUNITY is to support all of the local artists that share one vision of unity. Stay tuned for updates on the Upcoming Events section of the Latest News page for One Love Community events. Apparel merchandise for men and women are for sale. If you would love to show support just as Lazy Leopard does, pick up a tee and share the love around town! For more info on how to pick up your merchandise visit the ONE LOVE COMMUNITY Facebook page and leave a message!

One Love Community Girl's Fitted Tee (pictured with a Lazy Leopard bow)

Backside of Girl's Fitted Tee

MODEL: Miss Lazy Leopard, Olivia Stackhouse

Runaway with Me

2011-04-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Long Beach, CA is the one city I've resided at for the longest. Being a military brat, most of my life has been uprooted several times. So having a place where I can call home is quite important to me. So what a better way to pay tribute to the lovely beach town I call home is to talk about...what else? FASHION! I have to share with you a clothing line that is kitschy and taking over the heart of Long Beach. Recently, the Long Beach Grand Prix took over our little downtown and I was down there to watch the incredibly fast cars and enjoy the Sunny California weather. Later in the day, I had the pleasure of meeting the owner of RUN LBC clothing company. I was ecstatic to see their simply stated clothing line! They offer hats, hoodies, and tops for both men and women. So if you're proud like me you should go ahead and RUN LBC!

Become a RUN LBC FAN on Facebook

Inked

2011-04-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

I am such a huge fan of all things vintage and letterpress products. I feel it takes a good sense of the "old days" to put together a well styled letterpress cards, stationary or tags. I was searching for new hang tags for all of the Lazy Leopard products and I was beyond giddy when I came across Lazy Day Cottage on Etsy.com! There are tons of different tags, cards and much much more. Themed from Nautical to the Vintage/French inspired. I ended up purchasing 3 different sets of tags because I was very impressed in the craftsmanship. I've not been more excited over letterpress products as I do now! Check out some of my favorite items for sale at the Lazy Day Cottage Etsy Shop.

Nautical Party Favor Bags

Vintage Inspired Tea Cup Stickers

Vintage Love Tickets with Flowers

Visit Lazy Day Cottage Shop