music on the road.
a van, 4 hip and talented kids, a voice like i’ve never heard and a kazoo.
the result:
something so raw and real, it’s imperfections are what makes this collaboration, well, damn near perfect in my eyes.
for more van sessions got to:
http://www.youtube.com/user/nbluhm
(Source: nickibluhm.com)
I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t written for the blog in ages and am long overdue. But in truth, my 9-5 has been a little insane as of late which leaves little room for posting. boo.
So let’s get to it!
My friend Marc Cazorla is the drummer for a newly formed band called The Record Company. I’ve seen them play twice and was totally blown away. There is an authenticity to their sound, a vintage familiarity with a modern twist. Vocalist Chris Vos has an amazing voice, full of soul and depth. I can’t say enough about how great this band is and guess what? They just got booked at SXSW.
CLEO deliciousness
New Year’s Eve was kind of amazing this year. Not only was I surrounded by the company of dear friends (and had the pleasure of making a few new ones), we all experienced a pretty noteworthy culinary experience dining at Cleo located in the Redbury Hotel in Hollywood. Decor brought you back to the 1920’s, the wait staff dressed the part, and when we sat down and reviewed the menu, mouths began to salivate…talk about mediterranean food at it’s best! Cocktails were insanely creative concoctions- so smooth on the palette that drinking just one too many, was way too easy (but hey, what better night to overindulge, right ?) The menu was outstanding, my favorite dishes being the cucumber and yogurt aperitif, the signature flatbread and of course the chicken and lamb kabobs cooked to perfection. Service was pretty impressive considering the hustle and bustle of a holiday night. All in all, it’s a place I hope to come to over and over again.
(Source: cleorestaurant.com)
After running across these images, I felt inspired and compelled to purchase my own ruffle and feather-laden cocktail dress for a much anticipated NYE outing with friends. Always chic, these feather inspired fashions are oo-la-la.
KITCHEN ART WALL
Hi there!
At last, after a year and a half in my LA apt, I’ve decided to hang a random collection of wall art I’ve been collecting over the years. Most of the art featured here are vintage store finds, with the exception of the large fruit still life, painted by a friend and the resin antlers from Spitfire Girl in the Los Feliz neighboor hood of Los Angeles, Ca.
A little of this, a little of that. Voilà!
Last saturday we celebrated the anticipated arrival of my second niece, Laila Talum Malik with a winter wonderland themed baby shower surrounded by family and friends. With creative forethought and the combined efforts of my super talented Aunt Lucy (who created all the beautiful arrangements) we turned a fairly basic community center into a whimsical version of itself, never before recognized.
Congrats to Asim and Leslie, the proud parents to be!
CALIFORNIA LOVE
love all the cali art found on etsy.com: typographic prints, tee shirts, jewelry and more.
type “california” in the search field and enjoy.
(Source: etsy.com)
Alexander Shannon is not only a top-notch copywriter, he’s also the brilliant voice behind Lucky Brand Jeans and someone I am proud to call a friend. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him for the past 6 months and carpooling for the past 4 weeks. We enjoy early morning conversations (when we aren’t too sleepy) and have partaken in many late evening discussions surrounding topics such as:
1. Katie Perry is the worst performer of all time.
2. Whatever happened to Ja-Rule?
3. The wonders of socialism!
4. If we were in charge the world, it would be a better place.
5. Susana’s latest dating adventure (A-E below)
A) surprise baby daddies! *oh my*
B) interested suitors whose ex-girlfriend happens to be my friend! oops!
C) just because a guy has really nice shoes and dances with you at a wedding
doesn’t mean he is the man of your dreams…
D) serious girlfriends. VERY SERIOUS.
E) married swingers with private jets (need I say more)
SO LET’S GET TO IT… 5 QUESTIONS FOR MR SHANNON:
1.What is your biggest pet peeve besides Katie Perry?
People who say “Dia-bee-TUS.”
2. If you were about to die, what would you want to eat?
I think your answer is way more profound than mine (Susana said “I would consume my lover, so that they would always be with me.”) I’d settle for fries.
3. Why Emma Stone?
She’s hilarious, charismatic and beautiful. Plus, she has red hair, green eyes and a deep, throaty voice. It’s no coincidence that my wife shares the same qualities, except the throaty voice, which is why I love it when she has a cold.
4. What is your favorite word and why?
“Sinew” or “Decay.” I love words that sound beautiful and poetic, but actually describe something morbid.
5. If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?
There are so many things that I’d love to do, so I’d do them all; I’d be a wealthy artist/travel journalist/clinical psychologist/Egyptologist/SNL cast member/architect/lion trainer/horror movie director/professional fencer/linguistics professor/fashion designer/casting agent/Las Vegas magician/QVC salesperson.
Newsprint.
Not sure why, but today I find myself inspired by newsprint. There’s so much of it around, why not repurpose in a cool way?
bracelets from http://www.etsy.com/
wayfare sunglasses from http://www.kaboodle.com/
newyorktimes print from http://www.mcmahanphoto.com
image of twiggy in newsprint dress http://www.superstock.com//
newspaper nails http://www.sweetandnerdy.com/
newspaper photoshoot: source unknown
Bound by Blood
On thanksgiving, I was holding my baby niece walking down a small staircase, when I suddenly lost my footing and began to fall. Time slowed and suddenly all I could think of, was to hold her tight against me, protect her head from hitting the adjacent wall and brace myself for the inevitable. Right ass cheek hit first, then tailbone, lower back, shoulder blade and finally elbow. I felt each as if the fall was taking 30 seconds, when in reality it was probably more like three, but little Bruer remained tightly protected and unscathed, albeit frightened, finding comfort in her mother’s arms as she was swooped to safety. My immediate reaction was to cry, not for the pain in my body, but for the thought of anything happening to this little girl.
I have never been much of a baby person, but I find myself so enamored with this gorgeous niece of mine. She is my blood and I have have never felt a love like this, a sense of responsibility and an instinct to protect her from harm, sadness, violence, heartbreak… the list goes on.
love you bru-berry.
hi! i'm susana and this blog is a collection of random musings & inspiration. enjoy!
