Vogue Italy Extreme Couture Supplement Sept 09
view the rest here.


Ok and this random picture of my brother that I think is super great so I'm just putting it here
His band: The Black Jackets

H & yuM

I just caught a glimpse of H&M's new promotional images-- and what really caught my attention was this plaid on plaid move with the shirt and the tie
I really appreciate that someone thought of that!

Besides the plaid on plaid... RYAN THOMAS is lookin flyyy and so are the rest of these ensembles (also ft. Andres Velencoso Segura)









Things that came up today:

• Jay-Z's obsession with Caesar
• "Forever" Drake ft. Kanye West, Lil Wayne, & Eminem
• War portrayed in movies (misguidingly) in artistic form
• "Straight-edgy" (hahah)
• Mad Men Season 3 Episode 3- Open Thread
  
• “People are often unreasonable and self centered: forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives: be kind anyway. If you’re successful, you’ll win some false friends and some true enemies: succeed anyway. If you’re honest and frank, people may cheat you: but be honest anyway. What you spend years building, someone can destroy overnight: build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous: be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow: do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough: give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, its between you and God, it was never between you and them anyway..." - Mother Theresa

*If you are reading this post via Facebook, View Original Post to view embedded video files

You may say you're not artistic

After man's ability to reason right from wrong, the thing that sets him apart from animals is his ability to produce art and culture. If one were to argue that other animals have consciences, then art and culture would reign as the definitive difference between us and them.

Whether or not an individual might see his or herself as artistic, creative, etc-- I have still yet to find someone who doesn't at least appreciate some aspect of the arts and of culture. And at the end of the day I believe most people yearn to create, whether they believe they can or can't.

So I thought this was a pretty spectacular concept in making that venue available. (Music fanatics should appreciate the video too-- the music overlay is pretty sweet.)

"Body Paint" Installation at "Clicks or Mortar", March 2009 from Memo Akten on Vimeo.

The "Body Paint" installation here, done by Memo Akten, is created by the public as the virtual canvas interprets their motions and gestures into an orchestra of colors producing an evolving composition.

This reminded me of an earlier public forum art project done in London that ran until July 14th, where over 30 pianos were placed in various locations (streets, stations, public spaces) around the city for the people to bust out in spontaneous recitals. The project had a touching and beautiful effect, "increasing a sense of public spirit in a city which often feels cold."

Anyway,
on my next birthday, instead of posting a good wish on my facebook (which you are of course still welcome to do I still really appreciate that)-- make me a birthday card, sing me happy birthday
your inner human being will appreciate it ;p





Things that came up today:

• automatic vs. manual
• lap desks
• roasted salsa
• plain yogurt
• studded leather jacket from Twenty8Twelve a/w 09 collection
• "I Hope You Dance" - Lee Ann Womack
• Company at UCLA's Spring Sing '08 - Biochem
• are you getting your fiber

If you are reading this post via Facebook, View Original Post to view embedded video files

Your own personal jesus Tribute

I guess I've never explained why this blog is titled "Your own personal jesus", and before I go on with the body of this post I think it's best that I do explain.

Well it's no suprise, given that there is a link in the side panel dedicated to black and white photography/portraiture, that I am a fan of such. The collecting began with books, magazines, newspapers, etc.-- all the sorts of tangible things, which were limited then by how far I could walk or reach out my hands. Then came the internet and my hands, all our hands, began stretching further than they ever imagined.

On one of my occassional photohunts I came across an amateur blog, all written in french, black with a grey courier font. The only English on the page was the title of the blog, "Your own personal jesus."

It was here that in terms of what I had been looking for, I very well found my own personal jesus. I dont know who this person was and where she or he had collected their pieces-- but of all the portraits and photos I had ever found these were undoubtedly my favorite. Not only were they my favorite but something about them also made them just, the best.

Maybe it was the mystery in the subjects... Serge Gainsbourg, Elodie Bouchez, Gina Gershon... no one I'd really heard of at that time, six, seven, (eight?) years ago. Even when I did know of these subjects, like Vanessa Paradis, (I think I was searching for portraits of her specifically when I found Your own personal jesus) something about the exclusivity of these pictures, with their depth and unique quality, laid out in such simplicity, and to be found on something so seemingly easy as an amateur blog site... made the entire experience something I really treasured. If only the world were like this.

And I still believe in many ways it is.

So anyway,

I loved Your Own Personal Jesus, it was like I had stumbled upon someone's secret royal dumping ground, where someone was simply...yet stylistically, openly yet somewhat covertly, and just honestly sharing what they found interesting, inspiring, and "cool". They weren't trying to keep ahead of the newest trend or trying to start the next one, trying to sell you "cool"--although I don't mind that. It just was itself, which at the end of the day, we can all agree is infinitely cooler. So yea, all that it wasn't made Your Own Personal Jesus, to me, everything that it is... or should I say, was. I think it was about three, four (or five?) years ago when I clicked that favorite and familiar bookmarked link and one of those horrid "ERROR" notifications came up. I searched all around the web with different variations of Your Own Personal Jesus only to come up with a million different references to Depeche Mode. My own personal jesus had gone

to leave me with "Your own..."

my own.

So as a tribute to all that was Your's and all that I took from it as mine, here we have again Your own personal jesus.

So anyway, I am finally led to the intended body of today's post,

Black and White portraiture.

Marlene Dietrich

Things that came up today:

• Breakfast before cardio vs. Breakfast after cardio
• Nelly - "Ride Wit Me"
• Franz Ferdinand - "Lucid Dreams", Chester French - "Beneath the Veil", Francesca Battistelli - "Free to be Me", Beirut - "Elephant Gun"
• Rachael Yamagata
• kokology
• Canon EOS Rebel T1i
• Trader Joe's Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds
• Grand Puba - "360 (What Goes Around)" via KanYeUniverseCity.com

Balmain Homme “Absolute Man” Photo Spread

Designer label Balmain Homme offers a closer look into their new menswear collection through the pages of HUGE Magazine. The Japanese publication enters its 61st issue (October 2009), with a photo spread, entitled Absolute Man, featuring the aforementioned new first collection designs from Balmain Homme.

via Hypebeast

UCLA Extension Writers Faire

UCLA Extension presents the Writers Faire, an opportunity for aspiring writers to attend instructional mini-courses and panels taught by instructors from UCLA Extension's Writers' Program.

Date:	Sunday August 30, 2009
Time:	11:00AM - 3:00PM
Description:	Mini-classes and panel discussions highlight the offerings of the Writers' Program
Location:	Court of Sciences - Area
Admission:	Free and open to the public
Contact:	UCLA Extension Writers' Program (310) 825-0107 ccampbell@uclaextension.edu
Web site:	UCLA Extension Writers Faire

More about this event:

This festive day features 24 free mini-classes and panel discussions in creative writing and screenwriting, hosted by fall Writers' Program instructors. Students get free writing instruction, chat with instructors, register for most fall courses at a 10 percent discount, learn more about the Writers' Program, discuss goals with advisers, and visit with graduate writing programs, professional organizations, and writing-allied businesses.

The boy is fly

About a week ago my family and friends had the pleasure of attending a wedding, and taking a close second to the fun that is seeing everyone and having them oogle how old you've gotten, is of course, the fun that is seeing what everyone is WEARING.

Hands down, flyest guy at the wedding was THIS DUDE:

I've always thought Z was a pretty fly dresser, but he KILLED IT last Saturday with this jacket! I flat out told him I was crushin--

I want to go off on a list of adjectives, subtle, yet edgy-- (yes, I just called paisley edgy)-- but all of that would now seem like piffling compared to the just plain cool that oozed from the chill person that Z already is.

Z is what I like to think of as a thoughtful speaker, we don't really talk much and I don't really hear that much from him, but when I am lucky enough to catch or hear glimpses into his personality, it's allll good. I feel like his quietness with the voice of this jacket worked in perfect dichotomy. I definitely know a few guys that with their cocky egos (and mouths that run to match) would think they can pull this off but... no.

So thank you, Z, for putting this on and pulling it off. Keep up the great work, but most importantly, no pressure.

Z says: I got the jacket about a year ago at Macy's. I'm not sure if they still have that same jacket or not. The name of the brand is I-N-C. & I remember it costing around 110 bucks.

The jacket kind of reminds me of this Golden Porsche... (that's 20 lbs of gold sheets on the body!)

Out of control.

Just how we like it.

*I should clarify that I don't think the Porsche and jacket resemble one another, in fact I find them to be quite the opposite while one is overtly flashy and the other is an understated statement piece-- the jacket just reminded me of the Porsche because of the fine detailing upon closer evaluation.

Things that came up today:

• "The Boy Is Mine" Brandy ft. Monica
• The right way to spell "segue"

"Behind every hot girl

is a guy who's tired of f---ing her."

Interesting thought.

Usually I'da saved this for Things That Came Up Today, but it's too good so here it is now, the music video directed by photographer Anthony Dickenson for "Animal" by Miike Snow-- pay attention to the lyrics too. (The first thing I usually do :P )

Next up,

Yesterday I snuck over to CVS during my internship, because I just HAD to have some magenta hued nail polish. After finding the perfect color (actually, two perfect colors,) I went over to the cash register to well, (obviously,) pay for these items. As I reached in to my wallet with my hand bedecked with my new MacDonald's Hello Kitty watch (mentioned previously--thank you eBay!), to my horror I realized that I would soon be pulling out THIS:

...my new Hello Kitty inspired Debit card that I love-- but when held in the same hand with the same wrist bedecked in Hello Kitty apparel... wooo do I seem enthusiastic much??

Even the girl ringing up my nail polish took notice.

I decided that from now on I'd have to pull out my card with the other hand. After which I decided, yeah right like I really care. Hello Kitty is my current fix and around here we go big or we go home... and THEN go big!

As always, just work it.

Milani Nail Art in "Cool Vibe" & Revlon "Steel-her heart" (Shouldn't it be steel-his?)

Still speaking of Hello Kitty,

"Dr. Romanelli has gotten together with Sanrio for a special Hello Kitty collaboration, produced by Medicom Toy. The project between the three companies features three different styles of DRx/Hello Kitty figures in addition to a capsule clothing collection. The inspiration for the collection stems from the good doctor’s fascination with medical science. Stay tuned for further information into the collection."

Which just made me smile because what's better than a current fix coming together with your forever fix (career/aspirations/lifetime hobby/etc.) ?

Things That Came Up Today:

• office drama
• 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad, all in Black
• "The Monk That Sold His Ferrari" by Robin Sharma
• Arnold Palmer, Lemon Iced Tea, Three glasses of water-no ice-with lemon, BLT Pizza, NEW Hawaiian Barbeque Chicken Pizza, Waldorf Chicken Salad, Miso Salad; California Pizza Kitchen
• white

Things that came up today:

It's just a design dump today--

I had to get 'em here before they got away... ;-D

• this jacket among many others; Revolver '09 Fall.Winter collection
• indoor tent; "Hibernate" by Aimee Pegram
• my set of McDonald's Sanrio watches came in! Thank you eBay.
• speaking of which-- Sanrio & Bathing Ape are collaborating-! Get ittt.
• Blind LED lighting by Zoon Designer (wow)
• Will Bryant
• a hummingbird, a nice view
• a phlebotomist, a urinanalysis
• Pistachio, Vanilla Wafer Cookies & Cream, Mango flavored yogurt (Yogurtland). Yogurt chips, Kiwi, Banana, Almonds, Mochi.

since I'm just dumping I'm gonna throw these two oldies in there too

Day N'

Nitey.

-Lo

El Pollo Loco STEAL

Yeah I'm a clepto. I live on the edge. I am risking my internship right now as I type this up... just to bring you this-- a real steal.

At work today my coworker was eating one of the most aromatic fast food meals I had smelled in a long time. Sharing is caring-- GET IT NOW:

Things that came up today:

• 7 Legs & Thighs for $5.99

Watch me do this--cuff bottomed jeans, coats with the fur

Haha alright.

A few days ago (August 7th) I was hanging out with my friend, the aforementioned Randy (see here) and our fellow commie Mo (comrade, coconspirator, compadre, cohort... not communist ;) ). Randy, who tends to be quite observant of my mannerisms (so he can pick on them later, what are friends for...) piped up sometime during the chill and asked me if I always roll up my pants.

By "roll up" he was referring to the cuffed bottom I had created, (like so):

At the time I just answered him saying that yes, I do always roll them up, when they are too long for me. Which, seeing as how I'm 5'2", is most days.

So that was my quick and easy answer for him right there and then, and Mo began pulling up a K-Pop music video (something entirely new to me) so I didn't let myself get further into it.

Oh but there was more. As usual ;-D

Interestingly enough just a few days earlier I had crouched down before stepping out the door to cuff yet again the bottoms of another pair of pants, when I started thinking about, well, my cuffed pants.

At first it used to feel like a nuisance, and I remember falling in LOVE with Charlotte Russe when I found a pair of pants that I wouldn't need to hem or cuff. As I got more proficient with shopping I found more and more of these "perfect fit" options, but even then the pants weren't always doing it for me.

As I finished rolling up my pants, got up, and stepped out the door, I realized the unique satisfaction of what I had just done. Finally thinking about what had become second nature to me, I got it. I wasn't doing this anymore because I felt I had to, but, well, because I GOSH DARN WANTED TO! Hahaha, to say the least. It was fulfilling and liberating, to come to understand this aspect of what I realize is now quite frankly, just... my personal style. ;-D Somewhere along the line, over the years, as I watched my mom make clothes and drowned myself even further in the things that inspired my tastes, developing this "personal style", I began my little love affair with detail-- piping (my favorite), cinching, ruching, ruffling, studding, slicing, tasseling tiering and tapering, crooking and... cuffing.

In my mind, cuffing had kind of become my signature. Not entirely definitive, you're not going to think of me and think--OH SHE WEARS CUFFED PANTS-- but on my own terms this is all mine. I had come to really embrace...engulf, what started out as something I used to do as a necessity from keeping the bottoms of my jeans from fraying over.

To me that was truly one lesson in personal style,

It's not what's in, or what's out. It's what is you. What YOU own. Not what owns you.

Take THAT overly long jeans!

(And I'm going to have to give a shout out to my mom for trying to teach me that every day of my life. ) ;p

So anyway.

I also believe neither your personal style nor your opinion of what is cool requires validation from anybody. --But I'm not gonna lie, I felt pretty forward-thinking and fly when I saw these freshly posted pictures of Pharrell, catching up to MY style. ;)

Git it.

;)

Things That Came Up Today:

• K-Pop (the artist "Rain" to be exact)
• Blick Art Supplies SALE (thanks Dare and Jo) dickblick.com/stores
• "jumping pictures"
• A photoshoot in an alleyway
• eBay: Buy it Now versus Bid?
• America's Best Dance Crew Season 4 Premiere
• Chicken Tika Masala, Saag Paneer, Malai Kofta, Vegetarian & Lamb Samosas, Garlic Naan
• Cranium
• City High, Asher Roth, Cisco Adler

Top Five Hands I'd like to Shake Today, including yours

Recently my best friend Maral, who serves on the Speakers Committee for the Campus Events Commission (UCLA) asked me to name which five speakers (realistically speaking) that I would like most to see at UCLA. Interesting.

At first I went off on the obvious choices, the likes of LaChapelle, Leibovitz, Meisel, etc. Maybe throw in Natalia Vodianova. Haha who was I kidding though. She had said "realistically speaking" --what's that even mean here? I mean what's really realistic after you've had Pharrell Williams come speak at UCLA and potentially James Franco in one of your classes?


Anyways. For now, my five that you should know NOW:

1. Jamie Chung of http://jamiechung.com, photographer/visual artist represented by one of the best photo agencies in the US. Who wouldn't want to hear the guy speak?
2. Kevin Ma, Founder & Editor-In-Chief of Hypebeast.com. So we can all know how to be the biggest baddest coolest bloggers not in the business.
3. Larry Page & Sergey Brin of Google.com or Steve Jobs of Apple Inc. To me these guys run companies that perfectly combine intelligence with art and creativity, while throwing in an appreciation for aesthetics. Apart from running my own talent agency, working for either of these companies would truly be my dream job.
4. Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Been crushin on this guy before I even had a libido. Used to watch him in the waiting room at the doctor's office on that random AccessHealth program that they always have running in there. Next thing you know he's on CNN as the Medical Correspondent, and next next thing you know he's being considered for Surgeon General. Oh and did I mention he's a doctor?
5. Last but not least, whoever the hell invented the SNUGGIE! Because I sure as hell want to know where to grow balls big enough to market something everyone was willing to bet money would fail. Come on and shove it in our faces! There's a wild idea inside all of us. Let the King or Queen Snuggie come inspire it out of us.

So there we go.

Honorable mention would definitely have to go to Bobby Solomon of kitsunenoir.com and duh, KANYE WEST YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

;-D

(my annoying new face in case you haven't noticed by my excessive use)

Anyway. I love meeting new people. Who will you introduce me to? Holler back with your top 5--

Things that came up today:

• Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
• the difference between jealousy and possessivity
• double standards
• The Strokes
• Official Disney's "Ponyo" Trailer! Okay. I do not even LIKE anime. But God knows how much I love goldfish, the ocean, 2-D animation, Disney, and asian persuasion. This is going to be great!
• Great pants by Billionaire Boys Club
• This picture from my archive:

Genius is Jersey

Frankly, I'm into the other Franco

Alright. So towards the end of last year my Facebook and newsfeed was overwhelmed by the everpopular sippers of HATERADE that for one reason or another got it in their heads that this actor dude wasn't good enough to speak at their commencement ceremony. I didn't find it particularly important to agree or disagree with this idea, but I did find it entertaining that Franco cancelled (or was cancelled, who knows) and for a brief period the graduating class of '09 was left without a commencement speaker. That's what happens when you complain! I kid. Obviously there was not much of a lesson to be learned since his replacement, as I was told, gave a truly incredible speech. Anyway, I didn't find this little video particularly funny, but it had it's moments, and since it regards my alma mater I just had to share. Thanks Jaina for linkin' me this.

James Franco's Rejected UCLA Commencement Speech from James Franco

Now on the other hand, what I DID find wildly amusing was this next clip, featuring James Franco's little brother--Dave Franco, who I must say is a fiiiiiiiiine specimen. Mmmhmm. Move the eff over James!

Acting With James Franco Episode 1: "Sense Memory" from James Franco

Mmhm. Yum. Who's with me?

In other news,

Catherine McNeil models a studded off-white jacket (perfect.) Kendra Spears gives great face, as does all time favorite Carmen Kass (not pictured yet). And Rickard Sund takes a great picture.

Things that came up today:

• Flamin' Hot Cheetos
• ulterior motives
• "Good Hair" Official Trailer (2009)
  

• some more very talented YouTube celebrities