Motorcycle Reflection

The holy trinity of FUCK FEAR, a Jesus Fish and me.

Born to be wild... Miss Absinthe

Ode to Dead Fly

dry dry

dry dead fly

there you lie

dearly departed

not asking why

like my imagination

sigh 

why why

dry dead fly

while you lie

 i'm drawn to you sir

that end being nigh

like my inspiration

sigh

dry dry

dry dead fly

there you lie

forever captured

immortal sucked dry

like my illusions

sayonara 

bye bye

Waiting for some rain to fall... Miss Absinthe

Some Like It Hoth

  

I finally fulfilled my lifelong girlie Star Wars geek fantasy... 

Having Han Solo in my bedroom, with a posable Tauntaun!!!

Love how the sheepskin on my dresser looks just like the snow on Hoth.

Came across a bag full of original-series Star Wars action figures this weekend, so for $20 I purchased one man's childhood so I could revisit mine, with the right toys this time!

Who says you can't have a second childhood? I'm onto my third or fourth by now.

May the force be with you... Miss Absinthe

White Shoes After Labor Day

Wearing these lovely Marc Jacobs wedges ($47 from Crossroads Trader!) 

with Chanel Peridot nail polish is the perfect pre-fall combination! 

Ready for fall fashions, fall weather, fall EVERYTHING!!! Bring on the autumn.

Gros Bisous... Miss Absinthe

Angled Synchronicity

Interesting to connect what the eye is drawn to...

 A cool breeze and dwindling light were darkening the atmosphere last night at the Tommy Santee Klaws show, perfectly matching the beautiful and melancholic music.

Gros Bisous... Miss Absinthe

Smells Like Vintage

Found this too-groovy 1970's Avon elephant figurine, full of still STRONG

 Charisma cologne, on Etsy for only $3 and I had to have it! Goes great with 

the $5 painting on wood I recently got at a garage sale.

Gros Bisous... Miss Absinthe

Praying With Leather

Saw this yesterday on the corner of Crescent Heights and Purgatory.

Ever reverent... Miss Absinthe

My First EFFEN Party

 Gorgeous vodka concoctions mixed with art and fashion at EFFEN Vodka's Art of Design event last week at the Marvimon House. Lots of shaking and stirring...

Several prominent LA mixologists competed for the honor of making the ultimate EFFEN vodka creation. My favorite combined basil, blackberries and orange simple syrup for a dangerously delicious brew that's beautiful as well.

My favorite drink matching my outfit was a complete coincidence.

Merci to EFFEN for a fanciful and colorful night out on the town.

Gros Bisous... Miss Absinthe

Party Girl Party Hair

Here I am all doll-ed up for a night out at EFFEN Vodka's Art of Design.

Channeling the 70's a la Studio 54, in an olive jumpsuit and vintage necklace.

Hair by my darling friend and hair-mistress/god, Addie Markowitz. Merci!!!

So with rings on my fingers and Miu Miu on my toes, I was off to an evening of taking pretty pictures of pretty drinks in a pretty place. Stay tuned for the lowdown on the shindig!

Gros Bisous... Miss Absinthe

Five Countries One STREET

Had a late lunch at STREET where I kept using the word AWESOME, like I was stuck in 1982 Sherman Oaks. But that was the word that kept coming to mind, to mingle in between all the ooohs and ahhhs. Everything ordered was a different combo of sugar and spice and savory so nice all in little golden ball form... Food porn for every sense.

Indian inspired sweet curried millet puffs. Gratis and I couldn't stop munching!

Recipe found here, I feel a food experiment is in my future.

Thai inspired chicken satay meatballs in light peanut sauce with cucumber vinaigrette.

Syrian inspired lamb meatballs with dates, feta and carob molasses. 
Not gamey, perfect.

USA inspired fried chicken croquette with waffle in a spicy maple sauce. 
This is the one dish I will never share again! MINE MINE MINE

Croatian inspired sour apple fritters in a whisky cider sauce, pure fried dough heaven.

Merci to STREET for a meal around the world that made my day!


Gros Bisous... Miss Absinthe

Street Passion and a Two Dollar God

It was a beautiful Saturday in LA...

After scoring $12 worth of one-of-a-kind goodies at the Ozzie Dots $1 sale, 

I took this pic in front of Wacko. Too much passion and two gold feet... 

 Followed up with a girlie French brunch at Figaro and getting a pair of vintage 

red cork platform sandals, at one of my favorite vintage stores, Squaresville.

Driving home from Los Feliz, a garage sale sign led me to this old poster print 

(with gold glitter and huge frame!) of one of my favorite deities, Ganesha for $2! 

He is the Hindu Lord of Removing Obstacles, (among other duties) and I feel blessed 

to have him hanging on my gold living-room wall. I'll take any divine help offered!!!

Gros Bisous... Miss Absinthe

Bright Toes Red Soles

Christian Louboutin's from Crossroads Trader ($65!) + Essie polish in Clambake =

Red Sole Summer LOVE

Beauty Beauty Everywhere

A little bit here and a little bit there... 

These gorgeous agate earrings have Czech (Bohemian) glass faces, are tied with 
fair-trade recycled sari ribbon, and were hand-made in New Orleans by one of my fantastic followers, Heidi Post and sold in her Etsy Shop, Ex Post Facto. If you're 
looking for something original and inexpensive (most jewelry is under $75), her 
shop is worth checking out! Heidi sent these to me in an Altoids tin, and the very 
first time I ever had Altoids was shortly after I moved to New Orleans to start my 
life of Bohemian adventures... before NYC Paris London Las Vegas Seattle and LA. 
I love synchronicity, there are no coincidences. Merci Heidi!!!

The lovely people at Pacifica sent me this reed diffuser in Indian Coconut Nectar and now my bedroom smells like an exotic vanilla dream. Scent is an important layer to having a beautiful living space, and I prefer diffusers to candles, as they're long-lasting and don't have to be watched constantly for safety. Pacifica's diffusers are stylish and subtle and most importantly, aren't toxic like most commercial room fragrances. Remember, just because it says NATURAL on the label, does not make it so. Read and research every ingredient. It's not possible to eliminate every toxic chemical, but every little bit adds up. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel when you start basing your life in nature, not to mention how smart you'll be when you stay informed. 

Scentual Sidenote - I asked Pacifica if they had any fragrances that would be 
considered "masculine", for you eco-conscious men out there who care about your 
health and how you smell (thank you for that, from all the ladies). They suggested Spanish Amber and Sandalwood, which they sent me. Woodsy, warm, and light, with 
a hint of citrus... I think it works for men and women. Merci Pacifica!!!

 Bohemian Beauty Finds - These make my life better:

Under $5, Crystal Essence deodorant changed my life, seriously. Nothing on Earth will stop stink from happening like this stuff and it leaves no pesky residue on clothes. I love that it's a spray and like the rest of these products, works for both men and women. 

Crafting herbal-based remedies since the mid-1800's, Thayers makes a gentle rose-petal witch hazel that I use as a toner after washing my face with my LilyB facial wash. It's wonderful for sensitive skin and also makes a great body splash in the summer; just put 

it in the fridge and use it to cool off! There are many varieties, but the rose-petal is intoxicating without any heaviness.  At under $10, it's another great value.

I've been a fan of vitamin C serums forever, and about two years ago I discovered NuFountain on Amazon. I buy the C+ Lightening serum, which has significantly reduced what little sun damage I suffered from and took a few years off. What's really groovy is that what you buy doesn't get made until you order it, making it fresh AND if you order two bottles at the same time, you get one free (I store them in the fridge). Another cool feature, on the NuFountain website is descriptions of the ingredients they use, something every cosmetic/skincare company should do with every product. 

Argan oil is a miracle. I replaced all my moisturizers and body lotions with this pure, 

raw organic elixir from Morocco, that is also empowering the women who harvest and minimally process it. My skin has never been healthier or happier, partly due to the high amounts of vitamin E present. Make sure you get the RAW oil and not anything that has been "deodorized". Some people don't like the smell of the raw, but I think it smells a little like olive tapanade and it's not anything that sticks around or interferes with anything sweeter you want to smell like. I bought a deodorized product once and I could detect the smell of the chemicals used to take the smell away. It was weird. There are many products out there, but for price and quality I like Slice of Nature.

Everything your bring into your life and home should be beautiful and have purpose, settle for nothing less and you'll have no regrets. Remember, beauty is everywhere.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Bohemian TwoPointOhLA Picnic Adventure

Attended the TwoPointOhLA  picnic in Griffith Park last weekend.
Beautifully put together by our tireless blog-mistress Kelsi, of 
Dedicated Follower of Fashion, my fellow bloggers and I enjoyed
 a lovely afternoon of all things fashion!

I was treated to a necklace from Crossroads Trader, the SOFTEST tank 
from Michael Stars (which doesn't fit right, but will be perfect for a re-work),
 and in perfect synchronicity with my needs... A pair of Chloe sunglasses from the 
people at Ditto, a sunglass ecommerce site with a fun and practical difference. 
In addition to free shipping and returns, you can upload video of yourself to virtually 
try on and see what looks best, get opinions from friends, AND if you still aren't 
sure, you can talk to one of their stylists for a recommendation. I was lucky to talk 
to Victoria who picked the pair above for me to try-on, which are the perfect color
 and shape for my face, so I can attest to how helpful they are! Since I've been 
searching high and low for a new pair of sunnies for months, this made my day
 on many levels.


The ring pictured is from Crossroads Trader, it looks so Kelly Wearstler,
but was only $15. Since I was on such a roll, I went shopping after the 
picnic and am glad I did! Funny how it all goes together.

I was thrilled to see the Braid Bar, courtesy of Hairroin Salon in Hollywood.
In less than 5 minutes, I had a groovy braided bun! Merci Janine!

 

For some crazy reason (Mercury retrograde!!!) my Hipstamatic setting changed 
itself on its own, so my picnic pics turned out a little surreal... But that suits me.

I'm wearing a re-worked peasant top I bought on Ebay years ago, removed the 

sleeves and replaced the neckline with a silk cord that matches the detailing,

and earrings made by one of my followers! (post on that coming soon.)

Merci Kelsi (and your helpful minions) for another fabulous time!

Merci to Michael Yates of The Snark for including me in his blogpost of this event!

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

My Favorite Pikake

Perfume is another layer to how you express yourself to the world, and there's nothing sensual about artificial or chemical-based, no matter WHO is selling it. For years I indulged in expensive "designer" perfumes, $100's spent on spritzing something that now gives me a headache just to whiff! Fortunately there are many good, nature-based cosmetic/perfume companies out there, and one of my favorites is Pacifica. I've been buying their scents for years, after falling in love with their Tahitian Gardenia. 

For only $22 I get a delicious aurora of aroma that gets me compliments every time I wear it (every time), and no allergies or headaches or harm to the environment.

What's not to love?

My current summer favorite is Waikiki Pikake. According to their website: In Hawaiian, pikake means both peacock and jasmine. The pikake flower was named by Hawaii's beloved Princess Kaiulani, who adorned herself in necklaces of the sweetly scented white flowers and compared its exotic beauty to the peacocks that roamed her garden. 
Two of my absolute favorite things are peacocks (my totem animal) and jasmine and here they are, one and the same in an amazing clean floral perfume. 
It's like it was made just for me.  


Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Brunch at Playa

Playa on Beverly is one of my favorite brunch habits.
I go at least once a month, but it's been more lately.
The food is bold and comforting, the service friendly and helpful,
and the prices are very reasonable. It's a great neighborhood spot.

Organic blue cornmeal muffins w/ almond flavored butter.

Piquillos Rellenos w gruyere, chorizo & golden raisins.

Flan de Elote - corn flan w black quinoa, cotija cheese & pepper garnish.

This is my absolute favorite, and every time I get it, I still make that OMG face.

It's the bees knees mes amis.

Side note - For some reason today, the kitchen was running extremely slow, so we were brought out some free muffins and they comped the flans. That's what a good neighborhood restaurant does, keeps its customers happy and coming back. GRACIAS!

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Little Dress Lost and Found

Imagine if you will... 

A beautiful little girl's party dress, worn in 1786 by Princess Marie Therese, daughter to Marie Antoinette. The feisty little princess, after some boring royal affaire, runs outside to the gardens and throwing off her fancy dress, goes for a swim in a pond, leaving the garment royale under a tree... Where a time/space wormhole opens just long enough to swallow up the dress, sending it through time to another tree, in front of my apartment, early one morning last week, when I found it. 

That's the only explanation I can think of. 

Oui, I'm keeping it.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

The Early Bird Gets the Treasure!

I've been on a treasure-finding roll of extreme good fortune since May, 

both furnishings and fashion-wise! There's something so satisfying about finding 
exactly what you're looking for, for the right price, sold by lovely people. 

I'd rather go without, instead of ever having anything I don't love in my environment, 
so I haven't had nightstands until now. At the RoseBowl flea-market this month, 
I found these gently-used, mid-century beauties in a set with a large, matching 
dresser, which I didn't want or need. Lucky for me, my enthusiasm prevailed and the 
kind vendor called her husband, who gave the ok to split the set, then carted these through the market and into the car with a smile. $125 for the pair and I'll have them forever. I do wonder though, if the nightstands miss their old dresser friend...

Thinking pink with an orchid from Trader Joes, rose quartz (holding up polaroid) 
from the Melrose Trading Post and a pink python clutch from Crossroads Trader.

Stylish accessories double as stylish decor!

I have been looking for this exact vintage lamp for years. Most recently spotted at the RoseBowl last year, a vendor offered me 50% off... of $1500! Great offer, but I only had $35 to spend. I haven't seen one for less than $500, but my efforts at getting up early on a Saturday morning, to hit some neighborhood garage sales, paid off BIG TIME as this gorgeous light-giver, vintage brass with a solid marble base and three swivel-adjusting arms was mine for $275. Another forever find. Funny side note - Around the corner from this sale I picked up a heavy marble rolling pin ($5) from a sweet guy selling everything he owns to move back to CO and be with his sweetheart. I've never bought anything with marble before and this great day I bought two! 

  Why overspend on impersonal, cheaply made, store-bought furniture, when you can save money, have something original and a story that makes you smile every time you look at your surroundings? Why indeed? It does mean being patient and requires time and effort, but then everything worthwhile does. Now apply this to everything in your life, never settle for anything you don't love and stay true to you.


Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Happy Birthday to Moi!

Pristine white Marc Jacobs bag, found at Crossroads Trader for $27!

Perfect for summer and perfect for me... Oh happy day.

Gemini's Rule!!!

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Lichtenstein Found Me

Roy Lichtenstein's Drowning Girl, 1963

pop art + comic satire = on my wall

Look what I found, put out with a neighbor's trash in perfect hanging condition... Score!

I was quite a sight trying to cart this huge, fully-framed 5x5 poster that's bigger than me down the street, with Charlie's leash in one hand, as I was not going to go home to drop him off and risk someone else with good taste swooping onto my find! 

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Sunshine and Gold Gladiators

Stepping out in my latest Crossroads Trader score, gold Sam Edelman gladiators for $25.
Perfect for battle in the arena of style!

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Time Traveling Hair Adventure

Recently I had the happy privilege of being a hair model for a period-hair class.

My dear friend and hair guru-mistress Addie Markowitz created over seven specific

hair creations over the course of one day and these are my favorites...

Channeling my inner Greta Garbo for this 30's interpretation.

Then a trip to the 40's for my inner Rita Hayworth.

Next, a wind-blown Marie Antoinette...

Almost ready for the masquerade.

And my favorite... a wild 70's mane to wear to Studio 54.

Merci to Addie for a day of fun and hair adventures!!!

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Puppies...

Surrounding oneself with simple pleasures is key to surviving the madness of everyday life.

Nothing compares to the scent of an outdoor-grown rose.

Intoxicating and euphoria-inducing, they're a pure expression of nature's sensual delight.

Looking for ways to spark inspiration in my everyday life...

Experimenting with Lucie and Charlie and Hipstamatic.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

I Love Lucie

At the end of November last year, a furry baby rascal was literally dropped into my life.

Voila Lucie!

As I was shopping at Healthy Spot for some healthy dog chow and snacks,

I spotted a cute pup, that reminded me of my Charlie, being held by

an employee in the doggy daycare and I mentioned how I had a dog at home

that looked similar... To which I heard a reply from another very nice employee...

She needs a home. Of course the moment she hands her to me I'm a goner.

Six hours later she was mine.

She is such a character and the complete opposite to Charlie...

Playful, fearless, curious, mischievous, willful and openly affectionate,

a devilish delight and the yang to Charlie's quiet and reserved yin.

Happily they get along great and she's livened and loosened him up a bit.

And she's teaching me patience... ah oui.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe