A couple days ago, on a mild November Sunday evening, some dear friends of ours, Clarissa and Ludo, hosted a magical, birthday celebration of food and relaxation with a modern, European flair. They have been going to Speranza on Hyperion Blvd. for a couple years since it switched over from a not-so-great place called Capri. I have lived in this hood for seven years and didn’t even notice the changeover, but had recently heard that it was super good and they had handmade pasta. Ok - say no more. If this is a place that Ludo would go to, (quite possibly the world’s pickiest Swiss man about Italian food) I knew it had to be outstanding.

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For those not in the know, the term ’sausage party’ is slang for a party or a crowd where the majority of the people are dudes. What do you do when your life is overrun with gay men? You can do what I do and co-host a literal sausage party for my friend Stephen’s birthday. This was definitely not an event for homophobic, vegetarians but you can’t please them all.

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Is it just by chance that House Industries, long time font preservers and typography developers would start making actual objects for the house / home?  I think not. A recent gallery show opening in Los Angeles at Subliminal Projects, Letters and Ligatures, showcased their font genius as well as their clean, fun, modern take on housewares and textiles.  

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pencil 

“Rock Out with your Sock Out” is the big idea behind Ashi-Dashi and the super fun socks they offer. This brand new site boasting food and pop culture inspired socks was started by Ken Macy, a fellow freelancer I met a few years ago in Los Angeles.

My favorites are, of course, the “meat”, a nicely marbled steak graphic, and the “kick the Habit” cigarette tube socks. Funny.

meat 

These would make great stocking stuffers, pun completely intended, and with the special promotional code for 20% off, it might be wise to stock up on a few pairs for yourself as well as gifts. These would put a smile on any face.

kick the habit

‘Ashi-Dashi’ literally means, ’stick out your feet’, in Japanese. I was just visiting Japan and sure wish I had these kooky socks every time I was asked to remove my shoes to go in a shrine or a restaurant.  

Like they always say in advertising, socks sell.

Shop Ashi-Dashi 

PROMO CODE: SOXONTHEBEACH

20% off

good for Friday 11.14.2008 !! 

all photos courtesy of Ashi-Dashi 

I finally had had enough of my Eames dining room table that had turned into nothing more than a stage for the dance of pseudo-organized stacks of papers, receipts, periodicals, and bills. These were constantly being rearranged and reorganized, but never getting put away. Basically, an open filing cabinet on display, 24 hours a day.

I headed down to Silica Three, a Danish and European second-hand furniture warehouse that a friend had caught wind of on Apartment Therapy as well as on Craigs List. Apparently, this is no secret since another friend had purchased a vanity here a few months back. This day, I was on a mission to “just look” and see what was available in the form of a credenza to organize or hide the method to my madness. 

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It’s working. Wallflour has inspired someone other than myself to have a garden party!  A few weeks ago, I got an email from my friend, Heather, about a garden party to take place at my friend Reid and Tommy’s house in Echo Park. It was as simple as sending out an email and asking everyone to make canapés to enjoy together on a Sunday afternoon. We take full advantage of the non-existent seasons in LA- Garden party in October? I’m planning to enjoy Thanksgiving outdoors as well.

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