Everything I deserve today is going to come true

The first time I ever saw Louis XIV was at the Troubadour in 2004, opening for The Killers. I really liked their sound. After the show, I saw them hanging out outside so I walked up to them and told them they were good. I remember them giving me this sampler CD. (The pictures were taken with a disposable Kodak camera! Sadly, I have no idea where the film is.)

When I took this out to reminisce, I noticed it had "Hopesick Music Publishing" printed on it. As you may know, their brand new album has a track called "Hopesick", and a very good song may I add.


Earlier this year in February, I saw them twice. Then they did a headline show at the Avalon on April 4, 2008. It was a super fun great amazing show. The most important thing I can say is that their live performance and their music are awesome. Every time I see them, it makes me want to see them more and more. That's when you know the band is really good. And I used to (yes, used to) go to a lot of shows. Only a few bands leave me with that feeling. So, yes, Louis XIV is probably my new favorite band. I would've taken more pictures but I was too busy dancing. Aren't they just super sexy?










...and some cell phone pics from the Wiltern Feb. 2008

My jacket wasn't meant to be touched, so don't touch it

*I've been drawing mostly on Illustrator because my studio desk is still a mess and I'm just like too busy to clean it up right now. But I really want to do marker illustrations again. Soon. I want to start illustrating musicians for Spin or Rolling Stone.

You've been chosen as an extra in the movie adaptation of the sequel to your life

I want that bag. Actually, I want everything shown above. It's the spring/summer look I've been daydreaming about. Drew the girl on Illustrator. I have this whole scenario in my head to tell you the truth. Who I would run into, where I would be, and how perfect everything would be.
1. Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs 2. Sunglasses, Ray Ban Aviators 3. Shirt, Old Navy 4. shorts, Top Shop 5. gladiator sandals, Matt Bernson

We're fated to pretend

Some outfit sketches.

Le Petit Prince

Did you know this was coming? This is a montage of my favorite parts from Antone de St. Exupery's The Little Prince that I created with Play-doh and watercolor background paintings. My fourth stop motion film.

Clash City Rockers

Several weeks ago, PBS aired the Clash special. I watched it on Saturday on KCET and Sunday on KOCE. It was very inspiring to say the least. When you look at punk rock (or any other pop culture movements), it's amazing to think "wow, they came up with that!" To think that they began a whole new culture. Of course, and not just the Clash, but The Ramones and The Sex Pistols. Their onstage antics. The fashion statements of punk rock. You look at them and see how incredibly stylish they are. Saw this clip where he was wearing all white, black vest, and a red handkerchief hanging out from his right back pocket. Or the way they just like spray painted their clothes, and stuck to a palette of black, red, and white. I mean, you see that everywhere now, but think of the beginnings of punk rock. It never ceases to amaze me, thrill me, and excite me.

So, I ended up wearing an outfit inspired by the Clash.

And so it seems, only in dreams

Happy First Day of Spring!!!
I've been waiting for you. I can't wait to wear all my frocks again. If I could afford them, I'd buy the whole D&G collection for Spring 08. It's beautiful, and right up my alley. Obviously, this illustration is a version of the D&G floral tiered chiffon maxi dresses.

I heard someone say that I'm much cuter than your ex

All-girl bands and front girl bands are so kick-a. But that doesn't mean I like just any girl band. They have to have that something. I love the way Jemina moves. Rocket pretty much has it down. Nico Vega's voice is amazing. Debbie Harry is queen. I don't like girls that try too hard. I love it when they look all crazy. But cool kind of crazy that is.
Rocket @ Safari Sam's Hollywood, CA

You can never want me the same way I want you.

I drew a quick sketch on Illustrator of this very stylish couple that I spotted outside the El Rey while waiting for our cars in the valet section. Normally, I could tell what brand the denim is by looking at the rivet or stitching on the back pockets, but I really had no idea what they were wearing. The guy was wearing red patent leather oxfords and the girl was wearing white oxfords. The girl's shoes are from Ben Sherman. I would know because I've been drooling over them since it first came out with Ben Sherman's new women's shoe line. I never got them.


I love Be Your Own Pet & The Raveonettes. So I was stoked when my friend bought me a ticket to the show. I've been wanting to see them for a very long time, but it just so happened that every time they were in town, I was depressed and not going out. Anyways, Jemina is so cute and fierce. I love how she moves. I am very particular about that when it comes to front girls. But she was definitely born to rock out. I love her. OMG. Anyone else notice her cute little makeover? Mostly black and white with lots of high waisted bottoms. Love it! She was wearing polka dot tights! Agh!!! She's perfect!


Halfway through BYOP's set, I noticed blood all over Nathan's bass. I guess he cut his right hand somehow. It was all bleeding but he kept playing anyway. How punk is that.




The Raveonettes are so good live. They sound exactly the same as their recordings. I like their drummer. How she has no kick drums! I decided I want that at home. Because I wanna play drums but the kick drums are always throwing me off. Sharin is stunning. She wore a black sequined dress that looked vintage. Sune was very hot with his cuffed up shirt sleeves. I love that look. It was a sold out show at the El Rey Theater. Had a great time thanks to my sweet cool stylish friend. :)

You don't have to say you love me just be close at hand.

How amazing is the new Christian Dior collection for F/W08? How incredible is Pat McGrath and John Galliano? I'm in love. I want to wear EVERYTHING and I want to wear my hair and makeup like that everyday. Well, not maybe everyday, but you get the point. You see that orange party dress with the bowtie front and sequins? If I were a senior in high school, I'd probably have run out to the garment district, and have bought orange taffeta or shantung silk, tons of huge paillettes, and made that for my prom! In love with that dress. Oh, and the dress that Irina is wearing, how Dusty Springfield is that? This whole collection seems custom made for Dusty.

You ain't born typical

I have an obsession with stripes. Especially vertical stripes. It screams rock and roll without being literal. (You don't need to wear a tee with guitar graphics on it to get a rocker look. That's almost cheesy.) I love those stripes in skinny pants, flares, and, of course, blazers. I have 2 blazers. I wish I had more, but it's really hard to find the perfect one. Or should I say, hard to find one that I can afford! So here I go again with why I should petition for TopShop to come to LA, or just move to the UK. Here are three jackets from TopShop. Peter Max rules. Oh, and I also "Yellow-Submarin"ed myself in illustrator. I wore that when I saw Interpol (blue/black verti stripe skinny pants with a Ben Sherman vert stripe blazer).

I usually freak out when I see a really good vertical stripe piece. I still clearly remember Steve Bays wearing this vertical stripe blazer back in 2005 at the Long Beach Arena when they opened for Weezer and the Foo Fighters. I literally freaked out over his jacket alone. The next day he wore this military-esque black vest. *sigh* Think he is my style soul mate.

**Last Saturday, I watched all the Oscar nominated animated short films at the theater. I absolutely loved it and was amazed at how wonderfully creative they were. I totally got "Madame Tutli Putli" but as soon as it was over, this woman said out loud, "Strange!" I beg to differ. "Peter and the Wolf" was so entertaining and so well made. I enjoyed it so much, I was screaming and laughing and almost crying. I was so happy it won. I totally agree. Go watch.

You're never gonna pass me 'cause I'm out of your league, your league, your league.

I drew this months ago when the Hives new album "Black and White" came out. This is a concept sketch for the "cheerleader" characters in the music video for "Try It Again". I thought since they used actual cheerleaders for some of the "cheer" parts, their music video should feature those "cheer" girls. But the Hives cannot have typical pom pom cheerleaders. So I drew these really cute girls that is my vision of the Hives cheergirls. Of course, I just drew it just for myself. No, I'm not working with them. Although I did try to email this sketch to their people, but I never heard from them. Sometimes I think I should jump ship the fashion industry and go into film. Yeah, right.

She sees the world different from you

And if she falls again
You'll hear your maker calling
So what are you waiting for
Here's your chance to say goodbye

Happiness is limited but misery has no end.

I haven't been drawing much lately. In fact, my studio desk is a mess. Which is sad. Which makes me sad. I think my studio desk represents my state of mind. I'm still longing for spring. Think this is the first time that winter felt so long. Mostly it was because I was sick all of January. This past weekend I finally went out to see Hot Hot Heat at the Wiltern. Louis XIV opened, were good. Editors have their good songs, but I ended up leaving after about two or three. Here are a few not so great quality cell phone pics. Hot Hot Heat was wonderful as always. As always.

See the way he walks down the street. Watch the way he shuffles his feet.

I worked overtime most of last week. Wednesday I was driving home and I felt so nauseous, that when I got home, I just crashed and took a nap. Woke up, ate dinner, and spent the rest of the night looking at pictures of old Dior Homme shows (during Hedi's reign). I'm a huge fan of Hedi Slimane, just like everyone else. So, after spending the whole night being amazed by Hedi's creations, the next day, I ended up dressing like this:

Few weeks ago, I was watching Bloodcat Love at Spaceland, and I thought of how brilliant and influential Hedi is. People who dress like Hedi's vision, probably don't even know it. If I had enough money, I probably would've lived in Dior Homme. But I wonder what he will do next, now that he's no longer there.


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Last night was the opening reception of the third installation at the New High M(art) pop up store in Chinatown. The set-up of the store was so incredible! A whole wall of fresh beautiful flowers, cute mushroom figures, elegant branches with necklaces hanging from them, fluorescent pink skeletons, and more. It smelled great. I ended up buying two necklaces. The one that I've been wanting forever sold out months ago. I wanted to buy the pink pill, but I didn't. Go check it out before it disappears!








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My play-doh JCDC girls were featured on his website!! (hello, cloud nine)
www.jc-de-castelbajac.com

What a day for a daydream

It's been raining all week in Los Angeles. I can actually see snow in the mountains from where I live. But today is a beautiful Saturday! It's sunny and windy! I love windy days as long as the sun is shining and it's not too cloudy. Now that the line up for Coachella has been announced, you know that Spring is just around the corner. I'm so dreaming of spring. Only if I can get over this cough.

I love JCDC : Castelbajac

It's not that I have way too much time on my hands. I usually don't have enough. But I just want to do it. Project started November 2007. Research, organization, planning. Then December 2, 2007, started to make my first JCDC girl. I felt a sense of urgency and wanted to see this project finished, so I pushed myself. That is why I ended up getting really sick around Christmas. I pushed myself too much. I would work on this project after work. And my job is tiring enough. I didn't get to shoot the stop motion sequence until this month. Here it is. Complete. My tribute to Jean Charles de Castelbajac. My third stop motion video.


Years ago, I saw this dress by Castelbajac in a fashion illustration book I got for a class at FIDM and it was love at first sight. Ever since, I have been a fan, and his collections are always so smashing and fun. His collections inspire me soooo much!

My cult status keeps me alive.

I am looking forward to spring. I'm tired of being sick and everyone around me at work being sick. I'm dreaming of spring dates with a crush, wearing light weight frocks and pretty things. However, it IS men's fashion week in Milan, and when I saw some of the AW 08/09 collections online, I freaked out and got so excited. Because of my job, I try to check out every single designer, but there's no denying that I have my own personal taste which means I have my favorite designers. And this is when I realize why they are my favorites. Menswear is something I've always been interested in. My last job, I did mostly menswear, and I really liked it. Regardless, I always find myself in the men's section, just to look.


Christopher Bailey is amazing! What Hedi did for Dior, Bailey is doing for Burberry, and it is absolutely wonderful! So romantic and dreamy. Loving the fall color palette, the knit fingerless gloves, the beautiful coats. *sigh*


Moschino is also a favorite of mine. (pronounced "mawskino") Ever since the late 90s I have been following them. They never disappoint, really, whether it's menswear or womenswear. Look at those shoes!!! Also, please note the vertical stripe pants. See my post about my obsession with them.


Oh my... Look at this collection. I freaked out. It is Gucci's latest. I think Frida Giannini is doing an amazing job post-Tom Ford. I loved her resort collection, that was some major rockabilly going on. For fall, they say she listened to lots of Gogol Bordello and designed her visions of gypsy boys. Gypsy boys are so rock&roll, so hot, so perfect.

To see the whole collection, go visit men.style.com.

Recognition. You better live it up.

Why TopShop needs to open a store in Los Angeles. Or perhaps, why they don't for my financial sake. Look at those red oxfords. The leather hoodie is very Mike&Chris, but this one's more affordable.

Mirror my malady, transfer my tragedy

Last few weeks have been hard. Fighting off the cold/flu. Torn between needs and wants. Seriously wondering if there is a need to continue this blog. For what. For me... Maybe. Happy New Year.