The Red Topaz

Moio

2011-03-29T23:42:00.000-07:00

Something I love by: scarves are always in season.

Check out the endless amount of scarves at Moio.

Pancake Day

2011-03-07T22:38:00.000-08:00

Today is Fat Tuesday: a day of festive attire, music, celebration and indulgence.

In many parts of the world, mainly Europe, pancakes are the food of choice during this last hurrah.

Will you partake in eating these fluffy, buttery treats?

1. If you're in L.A., track down the Buttermilk food truck. Pictured here are the pancake bites- just the beginning of the delicious breakfast menu.

2. If you're tired of circular pancakes, fear no more. Find adorable pancake rings here.

Happy Pancake Day!

Award Show Picks

2011-02-28T00:08:00.000-08:00

Overall an underwhelming year in terms of fashion in my opinion, but there were some gems that stood out.

1. Gweneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein

2. Camila Alves in Kaufman Franco

3. Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

4. Annette Bening in Naeem Khan

Also, shout out to January Jones for being fabulous at award shows this year.

She was a 2010 favorite for me as well.

The Golden Globes ravishing red dress is a bit too revealing for my taste, but she pulls it off incredibly well.

Claude Monet's Studio

2011-02-27T14:00:00.001-08:00

I absolutely love this picture. It's so serene, yet so solemn.
Claude Monet and I share the same birthday.

Get Excited

2011-02-25T18:06:00.003-08:00

I love this time of year.
I'll admit to not having seen 127 hours or The Fighter, but here are my picks...

Obviously I loved the King's Speech. But, honestly, comparing these films is like comparing apples and oranges.

In the works...

2011-02-23T19:53:00.000-08:00

The new Red Topaz site is on the brink of being launched... Visit back frequently for the redirect. I'm excited!!! Meanwhile...

NPR Valentine's

2011-02-21T10:57:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month, conservatives made a budget proposal that eliminates funding for NPR, PBS, and many more public service media hubs. Ridiculous. Don't take away my link to the outside world! If you agree, click here, and sign the petition. Enjoy these NPR Valentine's found here.

You're So Sweet

2011-01-31T01:29:00.000-08:00

A lesson in old-time typography, wrapped up into sugary morsels.

Black Swan Shop

2011-01-26T17:30:00.000-08:00

I loved Black Swan! The grandiose music of Tchaikovsky, the relentless spiral into absurdity, the dancing...
Natalie Portman's intellect and talent is something to be admired.

She is a part of the elite few that has an Erdős–Bacon number, or a number that measures your collaborative distance between the actor Kevin Bacon, and the Hungarian mathematician, Paul Erdős.
A "six degree of separation" meter of sorts...

These posters were designed by La Boca, a UK based design firm.
Check out more Black Swan merch at the Fox store.

MLK

2011-01-17T09:47:00.000-08:00

"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness." - Martin Luther King

Year of the Rabbit

2011-01-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

The start of a new year means extended hours and seasonal help for the Japan Post.

Thousands of postcards, or nengajō, are sent to friends and family with warm New Years greetings,

much like the American Christmas cards.

Below are two vintage postcards (circa 1950) depicting the year of the rabbit.

Vid of the Day - Un sospiro

2011-01-03T22:11:00.000-08:00

Happy 2011, everyone!

I hope your holidays were full of friends, family, and fabulous food. Resolutions have been on my mind, as per usual for this time of year. I've concluded that instead of making mundane, false promises to exercise more, eat less, ect., I'm going to learn Liszt's Un sospiro on the piano. It's a lofty ambition for my small, under-practiced hands, but definitely worth the effort. This piece takes my breath away. Enjoy the video! This man makes it look so easy.

Polaroid Update - LA

2010-11-29T21:37:00.000-08:00

Eat Like A Pro

2010-11-28T14:31:00.000-08:00

Sushi was included in the array of delicious Thanksgiving dishes at my family's celebration.

Just in case you were wondering...

Autumn Eats

2010-11-22T22:25:00.000-08:00

I know I've mentioned before how much I love the comforting flavors of Fall. Here's a collection of seasonal treats that you can't miss. Click the links below for the recipes. I can't wait for Thanksgiving!

1. Baked Acorn Squash With Brown Sugar

2. Pumpkin Ginger Pancakes with Ginger Butter

3. Nutella Bomboloni (doughnut holes) with Hazelnut Sugar

4. Spiced Marmalade from Jamie Oliver

5. Spiced Pear Bread

Photo of the Day - Nicholson & Penn

2010-11-21T00:08:00.000-08:00

Avert your eyes, little ones. Smoking is bad. This picture, however, is the definition of cool. It could very well undo all of the noble work the anti-smoking campaigns put forth. If only they could make non-smoking look this incredible. Jack Nicholson and Sean Penn could rule the world together. By the way, Nicholson is seventy-three years old.

Credit goes to this humbling blog, whose photos will make you realize just how uncool you really are. By the way, who took this photo? When? Where? I couldn't get my hands on the details. Please enlighten me if you know!

I've been dying (ok, I'm exaggerating) to go to a Laker game to catch a glimpse of Jack in the flesh. It would definitely be worth spending money on a sporting event that I have little to no interest in. At least I could seek refuge at the concession stand, right? Who doesn't like a sporting event hot dog?

Happy Sunday!

Lanvin + H&M

2010-11-19T23:35:00.000-08:00

H&M introduces yet another designer collaboration!
The collection, designed by Lanvin's very own Alber Elbaz, hits H&M stores tomorrow. Lines are expected to be brutal.
I hope this doesn't mean extra traffic for those of us who are lucky enough to work on Saturdays!
Check out the very "holiday party appropriate" collection to see for yourself it it's worth fighting the mobs.

Photo cred.

Piano Men

2010-11-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

Why don't I ever look this cool while playing the piano?
Clockwise: Monk, Waits, Monk, Depp, Wainwright, Gaye, Brody

My Two Idols

2010-10-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

A fashion illustration of Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky by artist Naomi Law.

I can't get enough of these two.

In other news, Marc and I got the keys to our new Los Angeles apartment! We're in the midst of a packing frenzy, but I can never stay away from the blogosphere for long.

Our internet will be spotty for the upcoming weeks, so excuse the infrequent posts!

Omg fashion lolz

2010-09-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Lolz gone alta moda. Illustrations by Elizabeth Mosh.

Polaroid Update - Point Reyes Hike

2010-09-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not much of a hiker, but Point Reyes is well worth it.

I'm not ready, but...

2010-09-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

Images via We heart it.

182 Sq Foot Apartment

2010-09-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

Space optimization at its finest.

See more here.

Fabulous Time Wasters

2010-09-13T23:32:00.000-07:00

Retro ads for MaxiMidia's seminar. Everyone loves their social media.

Life Story

2010-09-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

An exciting adventure ensues... This month I'll be moving to down to Los Angeles.

I can't help but to take a nostalgic look back on the [somewhat eclectic] places I've lived.

Within each location I've chosen a specific place that has made a niche in my memory.

1. Laguna Hills, California - The wonder years
I spent my first three years as a SoCal girl. Perhaps I'm going full circle? Not too many memories from this stage of my life, but there is plenty of photographic evidence that I had nonstop fun.

2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Grand Concourse
My east coast days are ubiquitous and mysterious memories in my head. They create more nostalgia than any other point of my life. The Grand Concourse is a train station from the early 20th century, restored into an elegant restaurant. I have the best memories of getting dressed up and going here for Sunday brunch.

3. Bay Area, California - Junipero Serra Statue
I returned to California at age 11, just before the infamous years of teenage angst were to commence. I chose the Junipero Serra Statue for the countless hours I spent gallivanting the streets of Hillsborough/Burlingame with my friends. I know no matter where I am, and how far I travel, I'll eventually return to the Bay Area.

4. Davis, California - UC Davis Arboretum
Davis gave me the perfect college experience. It's undeniably a cow town, but I still had a great time. The Arboretum calmed many nerves during the most stressful college moments.

5. Padova, Italy - Cafe Pedrocchi
I strolled past this cafe on a daily basis during my seven months abroad, but I never went in. It's a superstition that a university student who dines at the cafe will never graduate. I didn't want to risk it. This building, however, burned a fond memory in my head. Now that I've graduated, I'm dying to go back.

6. Los Angeles, California - New home
So it is... I'll be returning to SoCal [specifically the Hollywood area] to start a new chapter in my life. I'm ecstatic. Final resting place? Definitely not. I plan to expand this list as much as possible.

There it is, my life story.