I've never been, I want to go!!! Don't make fun ;)

Koroneburg aka Corona...Welcome to the fictitious estate of a Renaissance baron where you can visit with actors, watch minstrels perform, compete in an archery contest, marvel at the jousting tournament or just wander around in tights and a corset eating meat off the bone (I wander around in tights and a corset eating meat off the bone everyday anyway, hellooooo). Saturday 05/10/08 to Saturday 06/14/08. http://www.koroneburg.com/riverview/

It looks creepy but cool ;) I'm going to look for some Renaissance fair fashion trends to bring to the mean streets of Los Angeles baby!

Hear Me Roar....

Between being a bit of a cliche non-committal Libra who cannot make up her mind, a gypsy/freebird hippie at heart who is not a "car person," yet also someone who loves beauty and style....and...someone who sometimes feels guilt about consumerism and enjoying nice material things......agh, I cannot take it! Then there was the headache of getting schmoozed by sales sharks @ car dealerships.

I prepared for battle. I did my homework. I became determined to succeed in this quest for my ideal car. Don't tell me I should buy the blue car because it matches my eyes! Don't try to sell me some cheesy tricked out rims for $2k! I've done my research, I know the safety features and fuel economy, etc., etc. I just want to drive the darned thing, figure out some financial logistics and make a decision. Afterall, I was in a rental car since February! (Did I mention I am a bit of a procrastinator???)

Here is my though process.....most of which I talked out with dear Roxy, not to mention a few new friends who must think I am a loon....

A. I've always loved the old Mercedes 280SL roadster with that classic tan leather and woodgrain interior. I love the boxiness of old Mercedes, BMW and Volvos and those curvilinear accents which lines give personality. If the 280SL had good fuel economy, I'd buy it outright and be done in a heartbeat. I looked at one on Saturday.....(came really close to purchase on the spur of the moment and heat stroke on a car lot...) She is the perfect mix of sporty to drive and feminine style. A V-8 engine no less. But, at 15 MPG, she's not good for the mother earth I love so dearly..... So, she'll still be in my heart, and someday when I am a proper homeowner again with enough space for 2 cars, perhaps she'll be my weekend car.

B.The car I thought I was set on for the past month of research (with a lot of help from Sanoe as well and some input from John) is the Prius. Hands down, NO CAR gets a better fuel economy..... And I don't like the idea of beholden to volatile countries for their oil! Its been interesting learning about Hybrids and the technology. The car really makes since. But....other than on a cerebral level.... I just wasn't "feeling" the Prius. Is it too tech and asexual for me? Does that even make sense????? Hmmm, I think it does.

Do cars have chemistry with us like humans do to some degree? I mean, don't some people just rev your engine and others just don't? ;) I think its an amazing car, and right for so many people, just not me at this very moment :)

C. And then there is this. The image that cannot get out of my mind. Burned into my retinas. The perfect man....."The King of Cool." He had style, talent, sex appeal, a down to earth quality, and machismo..... Steve McQueen with his Mini Cooper in hot chocolate. (Do you KNOW how many times I have watched Papillon? Did you know he did stunts in Bullit?)

A+B+C=D. And my Sunday was finally without (much) headache. Michael @ Nick Alexander Imports here in LA is THE MAN! He was very patient with me, explaining the different styles, options, etc.

With the help of Lady Calliope as co-pilot (I brought her along to see which car she looked the best in), I chose the new BMW Mini Clubman in Hot Chocolate, a tribute to McQueen :) I like that there are only 70 dealers in the country and that production is limited. So I get to be somewhat unique :)

D. The final choice :)
She's a great mix of A+B+C. The boxiness and interior touches of vintage sportscars, yet she's top 10 EPA rated like the Prius and also has a great safety rating since they are built by BMW and have some sports car safety elements like the roll-bar, "drive-flat" tires I can drive on after puncture for 100 miles, and many,many air bags. And then we have the influence of Steve McQueen....yes, the sucker for style and history gets me. So I got her (or him? not sure of the sex yet) kinda more tricked out with the pretty chocolate and cream interior, chrome interior accents, sports seats, panoramic sunroof, bluetooth (since talking on the cellie will be outlawed here in CA shortly), and going for some window tinting as well. The car talks to you with certain features. I told Michael @ Nick Alexander that the car is Steve McQueen meets NightRider. Ha. Michael@AlexanderMini.com

Oh, what also helped to seal the deal: The free maintenance for the first 3 years/36,ooo miles which INCLUDES pick-up service from my house or work with a flat-bed where they will pick up my MINI and give me a loaner for the day while they service my car. I don't even have to go there. This insures I'll actually do the oil changes and tire rotations, get the wiper blades replaced, etc. etc.

I drove that baby off the lot and straight to Santa Monica to drive by the sea and show Dave & Mark who were also big helpers to me in this decision. Yeah! Mark will look great driving her too--he looks way more like McQueen than I ever will:)

Oh, and click HERE for a little bit about McQueen's Mini @ the Petersen Automotive Museum here in LA.

The Spring

"You begin to see that there are seasons in your life in the same way as there are seasons in nature. There are times to cultivate and create, when you nurture your world and give birth to new ideas and ventures."--Chogyam Trungpa

What season is your life in right now?

Who's on 3rd?

at least i have the dog now. like dorothy's toto ;) and i've already been off to see the wizard! you don't know. these coming 12 months are very important. it was told to me 4 years ago, amongst other things that were incredibly spot on. but though i revealed so much to persons dear to me then, i honestly never revealed this "exact" part. the time now seemed so far off then for the potential paths in my life in the future. (the future comes sooner than you think when you look back on the past....wow....thats a lot ;) i kept this detail to myself in part as i had hoped life as i had wished for at that time would have sorted itself out sooner. alas it did not, but thats okay, because there is another path.

so open but yet not at all it seems. we all must keep something reserved for ourselves out of that protective wall i suppose. so i am here, and the time is absolutely NOW. and i feel it like crazy. so much. its exciting! so many 3s were predicted. here we are....... as of this month. so i'll vaguely let you know what i am talking about.....or i won't ;)

Some of My Photos: Palm Springs For Coachella & Jeremy Scott/Adidas Party @ Frank Sinatra's Estate

But we're all small....we're European..... (more on that below...)
Another obsession for years. Modern Windmills. They are like this alien robot army. So surreal. Can't you see Dali being inspired? Every time I approach Palm Springs on that drive, I most anticipate the moment I come upon them. My 2nd day there, I found this road off the highway on my own, drove alone into the windmill farm, and stared at them for some time in awe contemplating.....then I took my rental rollerskate car high speed on the road and spun out in the dust. So Dukes of Hazard... hee. I mean, I am from Virginia ya'll.

Its just so beautiful there.....
After a hot day, a hot night. A little absinthe again from our Green Door fellas to start out the night. I bounce between being in a cocoon for days to emerging for a bit as the social butterfly. Vintage Emilio Pucci on me and on Eddie who was a good sport about it all--wearing my robe. (His Dries shirt did match afterall). A handsome southern gentleman.

The poolhouse @ Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms estate.
Ezra from Opening Ceremony is a character, a witty and dapper guy who seems to love miss Chloe (she does have amazing lashes) and was born 15 years too late. Thanks to her for taking the junk food chile-limon chips and Planters dry roasted Virginia nuts out of the kitchen for us to enjoy on the lawn :) We were starving after the caterers took the delicious food away :( Luckily we still had IZZE juice and FIJI water.
I heart U Jeremy :) I guess we had a tie in our "robe-off?" He does rock a robe well. Jeremy can do it all. Sweet as pie. Amazing designer. Great dancer. Sexy pout. Fabulous style. And most importantly, such a love. A very kind and nurturing friend to so many. I feel blessed. This is probably 4 or 5AM? He always looks so good.
These shots in Cory's room @ Frank's are by the darling babe Matt Irwin. Here we have sweet & funny Anouck, sassy Linlee (my gypsy partner in crime this time for our Thelma & Louise roadtrip...without the Brad Pitt hookup sadly ;) and moi. A break from too much dancing fun :) 4AM? The wallpaper is amazing. Its on the ceiling too! Check Linlee's Coachella style story for STYLE.com
A colorful bunch: Cory, Frankie, Matt, Anouck, J* & Izze sparkling juice.

Mademoiselle Sarah Leferl of Colette. Always chic and fun-loving :) The fabric and pleating on her Rodarte skirt was beautiful.

Insane leggings! I love this girl's style. Carri of Cassette Playa.

The gorgeous and talented Santi/Santogold with lovely Mr. Scott. Her new album just dropped. Go get it!!!!

A perfect desert half-moon. Photo taken while laying on Frank's lawn. Then once the sun came up, and everyone went to sleep, I dove into the pool @ 6AM wearing my outfit. I wanted that feeling of the long layers of Pucci floating behind me as I swam underwater....I wanted it for myself, without attention. It was amazing........the quiet and heavy swoosh of the fabric....a mermaid.....
Sunday at maybe 1PM we had the breakfast caravan of cars to Elmer's upon Linlee's urging. The wait staff are real characters, lets leave it there. That thing Sarah is photographing took our breath away! A German "pancake?" What???? It was 14 inches in diameter. We all had so much food the day after the soiree. Omelets, pancakes, waffles with fruit and whipped cream, hash browns, you name it. Thank you Sarah for treating us to the massive breakfast! Funny quote from Anouk to the waitress when we were trying to go from 2 tables to one. Waitress: "That table is too small for your whole group." Anouk (in a sweet little pleading voice): "But we're all very small, we're European..."

Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

It is a green drink otherwise known as The Green Fairy. I understand is not anywhere as strong as it was back in its heyday. Many of my most favorite intellectuals and artists of that time consumed it regularly: Ernest Hemingway, Edgar Degas, Pablo Picasso, Oscar Wilde, and Vincent Van Gogh.

I'm sort of obsessed with it right now--the way I get you know.  I am not usually one for licorice/anise flavor, but the whole ritual of the drink, the lovely perforated absinthe spoon resting on the glass holding the sugar cube (one bartender dripped absinthe over the cube slowly, another lit the cube on fire after a bit of absinthe had absorbed), sipping it so slowly in the dark....it seemed to agree quite well with me and made me happy..... Here is more info for you

I'm Overpacked

The joy of being me ;). I do the desert my own way. If I'm not going nature style, I'm going this way. Too many shoes, headscarves, bags, hats, bikinis, vintage Puccis, dashikis, and dresses. See you there?
xoxo,
Jessica

Don't Feel So Bad For Yoursef. Try No Sex for 70,000 Years

She's an independent lady, but is she frustrated? Seems she still gets her groove on ;) A fish species, which is all female, has survived for 70,000 years without reproducing sexually, experts believe. However, "Maybe there is still occasional sex with strangers...."

Freedom 2008

Spotted: Monsters in Black and Blondes From the Beach in The Mountains of Music Television. But More Importantly, My Favourite Tunisian-Frenchman

Well friends....what did you think of tonight? Some day I will have the most amazing book to write. For now, only allowed to say so much. A sweet girl from VA swallowed up into the firey gates of fashion hell. I am laughing as I knew these scenes would be coming up. Though maybe not to the degree they became. I'm sorry my family was so worried about me. Ah well, for some it probably gave them great pleasure to see me appear dimwitted or sad on the mocu-drama, and you know thats fine if it gives some folks some satisfaction. Honestly. For others with more developed minds, they'll see crafty editing turning a real person into some faux dolt persona for the entertainment sake of the televised machine..

Aside from the faux world, my real life today included a lovely, funny time with Jenn, dinner with Mike "Orlando Bloom" Vargas @ Magnolia with the lovely Lori & Nina!!!! And a lovely and inspirational experience talking for 20 minutes with my dream lover Hedi Slimane again.He was enjoying his TAN-- showing it off in a white t-shirt with sleeves rolled up to the shoulder. He really loves the balance, beauty, and weather of our city of Angels. He also talked about how wonderful he thinks our dear Jeremy Scott is, and I could not agree more ;) Before departing for his flight back to Paris he spoke to me some sweet words in French and I wished him bon voyage ;) Cause me Pain Hedi Slimane. You'll be seeing much more of Hedi's huge blue eyes and vast creative talent here in the coming months. He may want your help as well. You know how to contact me ;)

Today: Rescue Pup Lady Calliope

16 mos ago I took a lovely stroll in the golden light of evening for the first time in Bronson canyon. Today me and Callie enjoyed that neighborhood, so pretty on this day, and off-leash time for doggie. We then met up with friends not seen in a while for mojitos & kir royales at La Poubelle. The dog thinks she owns the block of shops and restaurants in Franklin Village. She has a crush on the older man, Chico. In May, we will have been together for a year :) How much she has changed and how fast a year goes. My little pony of a pup ;) Some say I saved her life, I think she really saved mine.....

How Soon Is Now?

I am the son.....And the heir......Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar....I am the son and heir....Of nothing in particular

A musical week. Spotted: Morrissey. Lounging poolside alone. Gazing up at the blue sky, contemplating, book in hand. I would have liked to have curled up with him and those sparkling blue eyes and just listen to him speak. I was so in love with his voice and lyrics when I was but a girl. I remember saying if I would ever find a man with a voice like his, I'd marry him. Oh, one of those many gay or of questionable sexual orientation artists I crushed on ;)

The Princes Behind the Green Door

Here it is, inside. After a lovely meal with John & Sanoe, where else but this lovely place. Where else other than the fantasy smoke and mirrors of this city would a little dream of a Prince appear from nowhere to play for a crowd of maybe 100 people? And there I am, literally a foot away from the tiny man. A little girl from VA with a little girl from Hawaii seeing the man from the Paisley Park perform in that setting. (Missy Miles, wow, do you remember watching Purple Rain? Well, he hasn't aged at all....) And then there is the other little Prince Johnny who was such a gentleman to pass along his hat to "the" Prince and bring over a velvet tufted seat for his girlfriend. Goodnight Hollywood.

The Monastery of the Angels

What was,
What could've been,
What is
Is in faint angel whispers.

Here in Hollywood. Just blocks from my place, tucked into a side street, there is a lovely monastery where contemplative Domincan nuns have withdrawn from the world. What better place then to escape, contemplate on one's own, and give thanks on Easter Sunday.

Vs. Magazine: Miss Colette's Picture Diary

Vs. magazine: For a decade now, the French capital has been graced by the presence of the fashion and eclectic Colette store. And the industrious woman behind the whole operation, Sarah, is keeping busy as ever traveling all over the world in search of new and interesting products for the shop.

click the pic to see her pics including your fav. bloody zombie ;)

A Lovely Red Wine & Girlscout Cookies

I'm half-asleep now, 8PM-1AM at the Chateau last night. Happy B-day Mark!

I have to buy a new car? What a hassle. I thought it was just wrecked but it looks like its totalled? I just want my sweet little Volvo back. It was easy..... It was my gypsy home. I haven't even had time to deal. I've been in a rental car for over a month! I'd like a muscle car or boxy old blue Mercedes run on BioFuel. But realistically, can I handle the planning to stock up on vegetable oil? What do you do when you go on a road trip? Stop at McDonald's and siphon their deep fryer? I've been reading up and there are actually a lot of flex-fuel cars that can run with Ethanol (E85). Hmm...... Check it out "Are you driving a flex-fuel car and don't even know it?"

Celebrate the Vernal Equinox @ Rebecca Norman's New Store

We're those luxury/hippie types. What lovelier way to celebrate the vernal *equinox than with creative friends, drinks, and organic-shaped jewelry. After two years in a small courtyard off the beaten path, the Rebecca Norman Boutique has moved to a larger space with a storefront facing Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach. Grand opening party: March 20, 2008 from 6pm-10pm. 130 South Cedros Ave (next door to Tucci) Solana Beach , CA 92075. Drinks provided by VeeV.

Widely known for modern, organic designs that are handcrafted in San Diego, Rebecca Norman is also available at luxury retailers Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

*An equinox in astronomy is that moment in time (not a whole day) when the center of the Sun can be observed to be directly above the Earth's equator, occurring around March 20 and September 23 each year.

Fashion Smashion, Today I Rest

Style.com, the online home of Vogue. A site I've looked at least 3x a week for many years, taking in the runway reviews, stories, fashion, and style. And this week, the LA Steel Magnolia made it on their front page for 2 days. I won't be shy, I was pretty taken aback, thrilled, humbled, and "validated" all at once. Of course I have many more amazing looks to show off.
Ha. These 2 weeks were quite abusive at times, so this was really great. Thank you to the amazingly stylish Linlee Allen for this. I have such fun with fashion, its nice to be recognized for it :) I was pretty wiped out when DeLinlee took the shot, but who's going to complain? Here is the link: http://www.style.com/trends/blogs/style_file/2008/03/la-fashion-week.html

Me & Vogue's ALT

I was delirious a lot the past 2 weeks. We worked 14 days straight, often from 9AM til between 11 and 2 AM. Good times, bad times, you know I've had my share. Taking Vogue's Editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley around to 4 of our shows at Mercedes Benz LA Fashion Week @ Smashbox Studios (the PR machine here so used to noting all the sponsors) was truly a highlight as well as talking with the dapper & charming Michael Roberts from Vanity Fair. And back at the office, the midnight sillies created some hilarious one-liners, cross-dressing interns, and our own runway walk-offs.... Nicky H being so sweet in trying to help me sneak in Marquee into S Bar was another memorable moment. Agh, I thought we could do it! Oh well, the release of dancing later on like freaks at Cinespace saved my soul for a bit. Did you like being on stage Lily Bird?
Julia Clancey's show was amazing, especially after all the US Customs drama. Paco didn't make it to the Veronika Jeanvie show as scheduled, but I am emailing Alexandre in Paris a photo of my vintage Paco Rabanne dress for the man himself to authenticate.

So, now to rest for a bit. No shows, no cameras, headsets, mics, crews, paparazzi, music nothing. Human & sensory detox.

The Wisteria Vine is Blooming

The wisteria vine only blooms once per year, for less than 2 weeks. I had one outside my place down by the beach for a few years as well.

There is a massice vine outside my place. Taking over an entire tree. Hanging over with the grape-like clusters of lilac colored flowers. A fragrance that is so beautiful and intoxicating, not to mention the beauty of the vine. The blooming of the wisteria vine marks the 1 year anniversary of my moving into this place, (though I did keep my pied a terre down south by the beach for a couple of months and didn't feel officially moved in til perhaps July or September as I was away so much.)

My sweet little kitty Tasha that was my companion as I grew up the past 18 years, passed away 2 years ago this wisteria bloom. She was such a love and really liked to smell flowers when we were outside together. Kind of funny, we were a lot alike.

I like to mark times in my life through nature, and occurences, more than typical calendars...............

Paper/Lindsay/Jeremy Luncheon @ the Sunset Marquis

Paper threw a luncheon in honor of Lindsay Lohan's March cover photographed by our dear, darling, talented designer Jeremy Scott.

We had a perfect turnout of people on a gorgeous day christening the new restaurant at the Sunset Marquis. Our French Chef, the sweet and humble Guillaume Burlion pulled out all the stops from starters to main course to desserts all prepared onsite. Yum! Yes, people in LA sometimes actually eat ;)

Felt good to do a good job for all the clients, especially sweet Jeremy, the lovelies @ the Sunset Marquis and you know how much I love Kim & everyone @ Paper! Tons of coverage. Entertainment Tonight, InStyle, People, LA Times (running this Sunday), Variety, etc.....

Jenn Chan @ Fashion Week Daily did a really nice piece on it. Here is some of it. Click their link for more. Christening the new restaurant and recent renovation of the Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas in West Hollywood, L.A.'s fashion insiders, including Cory Kennedy, Liberty Ross, Samantha Ronson, Mark Hunter, Abigail and Lily Chapin, Steve Aoki, Cameron Silver, Katy Rodriguez, and Adam Moonves soaked up the sunshine on Tuesday at a private luncheon hosted by Paper and Diesel to honor March cover girl Lindsay Lohan and designer Jeremy Scott. "I was excited about the opportunity to work with Jeremy. He is one of my favorite designers," said Lohan. "I was in love with the silk dress I wore on the cover!" As for her now-infamous New York Magazine shoot, Lohan smiled, "I'm really proud of it."

More pics