I TREAT YOU LIKE A JOKE BUT YOU CAN'T TELL WHEN I'M JOKIN'

Today sucked balls! Didn't get to go to Kill City, realised at the last exorbitant minute that the Yeah Yeah Yeah's were in town touring (this is the 2nd bloody time the YYYs have done this to me, in 2 separate continents - I think I need a gigs drip in my arm and I think they need to supply it). Also my friend Dulce, who just moved here from Italy, and who I haven't seen yet, cancelled on dinner tonight in town, which means I am all dressed up in lots of random green for no goddamned reason but to share salty bits with a pack of Wheat Thins. I took my ipod for a 40 minute walk this morning though and proceeded to watch an old season of America's Next Top Model then stopped after my girl of choice made it nowhere past the double doors of the model loft. Everyone else was ugly or had a Bostonian accent (my finger is down my throat).

Anyway, I did manage to take some appalling bathroom shots yet again. I'm starting to like it. I'm also starting to like rich, royal greens in my wardrobe. The blazer is new, from the Cobra Snake yard sale. And those converse haven't gotten wear in years.

and have some sad spoof

HATE TODAY! (September 11th)

COLLECTING THINGS

First off, 'Collecting Things' is a really good sound snippet created by Jon Brion (legendary!) for the Eternal Sunshine...soundtrack and I'm listening to and adoring it right now. He is such a talented composer, and one of my faves. Also, Jon Brion does stand-up at Largo most weeks apparently. I'd like to check him before I leave. ALSO, speaking of Largo, funny person Aziz Ansari is performing there this Saturday. Check it! Yes, as you've probably observed, this post is a catch-up of all the cool knowledge I've gained on my adventures around LA. I've been slightly shitty at documenting the trip and it's almost up. And this is me today running errands:


I have to say, the crowd of bare-backed mexicans rigorously competing at handball around the corner really appreciated the fluttery skirt today. It was sooo hot that when my bare legs were resting on the seat of the leather chair as I lay back to get my eyebrows threaded, it looked like I had pissed myself when I got up. MUCHO EMBARASSING! And here's a better look at my necklace. It's in progress...collecting things...
And then all other accessories worn today. Vans with purple lacings were my shoes of choice. I am really shit at doing the whole daily outfit documentation. I love the speckled bathroom mirror in full length shot above. Can't be bovvered.

I know. I still have to show you what I bought at Cobra Snake's yard sale. He was...delightfully messy. He also couldn't understand what the fuck I was saying when I asked for a mirror to see my purchases so I had to americanize it and slow it down: MEE-RURRREE. But anyways, apart from those purchases, I received the best fucking things in the mail this week.

#1
One of my favourite authors, whose awesome book I reviewed way back while interning at Skin Two (before I could write reviews very well, might I add), well he started following me on twitter and then proceeded to send me a free copy of his latest book, which came out like a week ago, and which I've omg'd about in the past here. Yes, reader; just die! Anddd he's stopping in LA on the 24th and 25th for his book tour, where I will be in full stalker swing. Really, he's very talented. Like, my boyfriend's worried talented.
#2
Of lesser importance in my eyes right now, my temporary free Vistaprint business cards came in the mail too. As I briefly mentioned before, I'm working on my career and so there's a wordpress page for the 'no-bullshit' me in the works too, until I can pay for a domain etc. Shit's getting serious, yo.

Apart from that, I've been spending loads of money experimenting with beauty and body enhancing products, drinking sangria, hanging with awesome pretty-haired friends, interviewing loads of kinky, crazy people in dungeons and fetish clubs, and this weekend I've been invited to a tight immobilizing bondage workshop (YES HAHAHAA - Panda is not impressed). I'll probably also spend a day in the cinema watching It Might Get Loud, 500 Days of Summer and The September Issue, and I'm also meeting up with the Kill City store manager on Melrose to pick out some free shit. As much as you don't want to hear it, life is good. IT IS! Seriously, do a double take.

I have a cheesy american dinner and a movie date now with Panda and he just got home. Must run.

I'M ADDICTED TO THE THRILL, IT'S A DANGEROUS LOVE AFFAIR

As much as Rihanna really (really really really) doesn't do it for me, she still manages to find her way into my life at least once a week. This look from the latest video she did 'Run This Town' is beyond fierce. There, I said it.

WILD 'N' OUT

Pamela Love, Opening Ceremony, Spike Jonze - yeah, I know, it's starting to sound like an IT list, but infused with inspiration from this October's Where the Wild Things Are, it's also starting to sound like this MAD jewelry collection out now involving the 3!!! ARE YOU FUCKING WITH ME?! That head-band cum choker cum bracelet is just TOO good for more words than this full stop

Just check out the deets on this here.

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GO, WHERE THE SUN GOES DOWN, AND STAYS LOW

I EXTENDED MY STAY IN LA! Researching my article is getting a bit crazy so I need a little more time. Not to mention, having an open ticket means I was probably gonna extend my stay anyway, because I'm more likely to be seeing 2010 before I see the boyf again next. *sad face*

Moi all bored and melting at the bus stop waiting to head over to The Cobra Snake's yard sale (oh and where they take their shop photos was where mark sent me to try on my purchases, among a room full of half dressed cobra models - didn't help my fat case much). Also, I just went over to Mark's site and saw that this guy I ogled once on some other random site was among the pics - SOOOO PRETTTYYYY!!! Anyway, I picked up 2 really great pieces that I'll have to showcase some other time when Family Guy isn't on. I'm also transferring THE DEAD WEATHER album that F burned for me onto my ipod (I couldn't be staying with a better bunch).

ALSO HEY! Since I know a lot of fashion peeps read me, did anyone hear about the Anna Wintour movie coming out September 11th? I'm not convinced but I know I'll find myself in a darkened theatre watching it regardless....fashion's hold on me is just too ridconculously strong. Think it'll be good?

I hate overly tangential blog posts...Sorry. Had to try to get it all in during the TV adverts. Robot Chicken now!

I LIKE NIGHTMARES

Replace this girl's face with Tasha Tilberg's and I'm exploding all over again in my cutoffs. This girl in Melbourne who's obsessed with Latex fashion, heels, corsets et al started following me on Twitter for some reason and she runs a really good blog ram-packed with latex-fueled imagery. Lookie...

Speaking of...tomorrow I'm attending a kinky photo shoot put on by Severe Society Films, then a fashion show where Venus_Prototype will be unveiling their new fashion latex creations. Stoked dot com.

WE CHASED OUR PLEASURES HERE

Technically I'm not stealing if I credit her. Today, laziness has me copying Sharma's post format. It's just way more efficient:

At the moment, I am:

Looking: a bit of a ragamuffin with no bra and side boob in an over-large American Indian art print tank and denim cutoffs. bare-footed and happily unshaved.
Reading: Writer's Market 2009 - It's like a fucking cinder block sized directory for freelance writers. Bought it cheap at Iliad bookshop (amazing secondhand bookstore).
Living: in my boyfriend's place. Well, have been for nearly 2 months, but gotta go soon if I ever wanna come back... :(
Working: on...everything.
Listening to: The Doors and Peter Bjorn and John (conveniently from their album titled 'Writer's Block')
Drinking: Sangria
Watching: Weeds season 5
Smelling of: sauteed veggies
Eating: just scarfed down some sauteed red-peppered mushrooms, onions and broccoli topped with melted cheese (trying really hard not to eat as much carbs)
Dreaming of: getting more and more shit published
Wearing: see 'Looking'
Walking in: Billabong flip flops, I'm afraid
Singing: Siouxsie and the Banshees' 'Hong Kong Garden'
Trying: to improve my writing career
Wanting: to re-capture and maintain my once banging bod.

I'VE GOT EVERY SICKNESS THERE IS TO BE HAD

Love Magazine's 2nd issue (Autumn/Winter) is out soon! I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I DOOOO!!! TO MY FRIENDS IN LONDON: GET ME ONE!!!!

PINKY AND THE BRAIN

So I've been slowly discovering Twitter and through the people I've been following, I've been exploring who they're following..and who that person is following and....yeah, so that's how I ended up coming across ChinaShop Magazine, where a post on Necklush was written by the infamous Gala Darling. LOVES IT! The designers are experimenting with different materials, shredding them, layering and intertwining them and making them into some hot shit I'm gonna call a narf (necklace + scarf). Of course if I had to choose, I'd have dibs on the black. 2nd would be the pink, grey and white one - heights!

TEENAGE WASTELAND

There's something about Geoff Cordner's beach photos that are just so...ideal? Aside from his surfer lifestyle shots, he's probably most known for documenting the raw, gnarly side of life, and at the same time, making it so beautifully stimulating. Like 'Hotel Hopscotch' is the best thing ever. But where the fuck do I get my hands on the rest of the series?? So good.

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A lot's been going on over here, but I've mostly been working and updating my portfolio etc.; business cards, website, new resume et al. I think I'd really like to dabble in stylist and interior decorating work, along with the usual freelance writing. I think I'm a little more fashion forward than the average person (can I say that?) and with my mother being an interior decorator, I grew up in an environment where I woke up everyday and the house wasn't the same as yesterday...then followed suit with every room I owned after that (in smaller doses). And I realised that those 3 things are my passions. So I'm gonna stop being cheesy now and just conclude that that's my new plan. Bye.

.....god..

THE HAND INSIDE MY CRANIUM CUPS MY MIND

After 5 minutes in the store, I picked up these specifics and had to be dragged out by Panda when I saw the palm sized crucifixes (next time). Some DIY'ing is about to go underway.

The store? The grand total? $6.61.
I love Halloween.

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The Mars Volta are playing tonight. Sebastian's going. I, for one, was too busy to organize tickets. Been slaving away at my laptop all day working on my career. Now I feel lame but accomplished. Panda's finally home from shooting a music video all day. I cooked - stir fry noodles with squid. But that was hours ago and I am now cradling the hugest headache. Have eaten nothing but grapes all day, with a couple of swigs of cold soy protein vanilla chai. aarrrgghhh....

THAT DEVIANT INGREDIENT

Tim Burton's drawings, paintings, storyboards, digital and moving-image formats, puppets and maquettes, props, costumes, ephemera, sketchbooks, and cartoons exhibited, as well as 27 years worth of films being screened, at MOMA for 5 whole months?!? This is gonna be heights, no?

Even though I'm not doing back flips over his upcoming '9' movie, the man dominated a huge chunk of my pre-teen existence. Have got to find my way to San Francisco somehow. And so should you.

SONG FOR A FUTURE GENERATION

That's Karl Lagerfeld ruining my life for me. Price on Request.

I've actually been looking into buying some fancy headphones before leaving here. But I think my wallet and I will be sticking to Skullcandy.

A MUTUAL FEELING

Part of yesterday's outfit. I just really really like these two pieces: my super versatile Promod vest that my mom bought me in Abu Dhabi before I left for L.A. And, of course, my equally as versatile Kate Thompson bone and feather hair clip that Panda picked up for me at a mini festival put on by Tightrope.

I never thought I'd see the day where my mom had to drag me off on a shopping spree. But after I got rid of/sold the majority of my stuff before finishing up my degree in London, I was sartorially barren (not sure if that completely works with what I'm trying to say but it sounds perfect - meaning, I had very limited wardrobe - I like the word 'sartorial'). It was liberating while it lasted, not to be tied down by so many material things. But knowing me, that thought was easily blown out the window shortly after my mom swiped that plastic. What that fleeting thought did leave me with was the idea of shopping smart- buying less by choosing a few key pieces that could work with everything else I owned. Yes, a very old lesson, but one that needs to be re-learned every single time.

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Ate dinner at Oinkster (try the ube milkshakes!), then stuffed myself into a PVC zippered mini in the back of the car while Panda drove, and worked last night at Club Hell. No, I wasn't one of the gorgeous gals giving saline injections or mummy-wrapping some eager attendee. But I worked. LAWeekly has a slideshow up already.

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UPDATE: Funny how after posting this, I noticed that on my friend's blog, she picked up a vere lovely feather creation herself recently that definitely contends. Hmmm, me thinks you win, lovely. Am looking for something similar myself.

FAITHFUL TO MY FREEDOM IN A SELFISH KINDA LIFE

2 pictures from yesterday.

Nothing that isn't already understood has to be said about Kiki de Montparnasse, but if you were ever looking for the best ice cream in the world and got tired of doing so, it's because you never encountered Rose & Saffron Ice Cream on the corner of Wilkins and Westwood in Los Angeles. It's this humble little Persian ice cream place with the best flavours.

I don't really do ice cream but when I do, green tea ice cream is my choice. It's been my favourite flavour over the last year or so. Before that, I would occasionally reward myself with a scoop of Tiramisu from Oddono's in South Kensington. Failing that, I'd welcome kulfi (Indian ice cream) every now and then, but that's hard to come by. Minus those three, I would never eat ice cream.

But then last night, Sebastian suggested Panda and I go to that Persian ice cream place. I tried 1 scoop of Saffron & Pistachio (thanks for the tip, Seb!) and 1 White Rose (still obsessed with rose). And you know how in that movie The Ramen Girl how the guy had magic in his ramen soup and could make his customers burst into tears or burst out laughing etc.? (there's another even better movie like this that I can't remember) Anyways, the point is, I went through a similar experience eating that ice cream. I fell in love with life. I sat outside (freezing and inclusive of mountainous goosebumps) but just sat there anyway and peacefully watched life go by. It was beautiful. I ended up asking Panda to buy me an extra scoop and nearly took a tub home. I'm going back for that tub next time we're in town.

WHO NEEDS MONEY WHEN YOU LOOK LIKE THAT?

'Summer Sluttin'' it WhoWhatWear style. These are my two absolute fave looks from their July Fashion Story; the 2nd more than the first (kinda over leather jackets - there's too much of a suffocating hype over them and it's too hot to wear one anyway, esp. since I wear black everyday).

Today's plan was to visit the Erotic Museum but I arrived here on H'wood blvd. and it's fucking shut tight. Is there something I don't know about? So now I'm wifi'ing it up at some cafe. Gonna haunt the shops afterwards, starting with American Apparel. Can't buy anything, and yet not fazed. I haven't bought a single fashion item since I got here over a month ago. I've been super good in that department. But for sure, since I've been eyeballing shit for ages, I know exactly what I want, and when my trip's over, if I have a little cash left, I'll collect my prizes.

BODY OF LIES

All my girlie bits are seemingly healthy. I guess it's just that Cerazette isn't a very loving pill. But, a mon avie, it looks like I'll be having a demon child for Christmas. And yet, new French gyno informed me, in her effortlessly sleepy-sexy manner, that I have nothing to worry about. Trust, I shall.

My mom told me not to post my breasts and vagina on the internet. She says it's none of anybody's business.

Anyway, didn't end up going to the Sophomore Pop-Up Store Opening Reception last night. Just couldn't be arsed to put on THAT face for the evening and remain unnoticed among a see of girls in American Apparel, just ready and waiting to step on a catwalk. As I was heading upstairs to shower, I could only picture myself at the event swigging less than half-heartedly from a can of Red Bull (still sober, can you believe!?) and mentally willing my legs not to crumple beneath me in their Topshop hooker heels. Plus, food seems to be priority these days, which means, me and bulges A through Q can't be seen at killer events like that, and only at Walmart. So all through Friday and Saturday, I banished carbs.

Speaking of food, it's Ramadan now. Last year, I fasted because I was back home in the UAE and it's so much easier to do there obviously. Firstly, I have no life there so my days consist of snoozing. Secondly, everyone's doing it so you get pressured into it because seeing perfect arabic women not eating a scrap makes you feel pretty fucking obese. Thirdly, the food can't compare to California and fourthly, even if it could, you couldn't order or buy a single morsel, and aren't allowed to eat in public til after 6pm. By that hour, I'm back on snooze number 2. So I partook in fasting, in a weird, anorexic sort of way that made me feel accomplished. I also love how their days are tailored around the fact that they can't eat. Businesses close up, school is scarce...really, you can't go wrong during Ramadan in Abu Dhabi, which only makes me respect my muslim friends from back home in Trinidad even more; dealing with us munching away in front of them during lunch, and yet, still hanging around us without fainting. But anyway, I'm not about to elaborate on that...

I love that I am in charge of a space where the essays can range from breast and cervical cancer to fashion to anorexia to islamic culture to effortlessly embarassing myself...

I think I'm just getting way too used to writing in short 140 character spurts on Twitter, hence this wayward monologue. The intended conclusion of the post was that, last I checked (July), I don't have breast or cervical cancer.

Logging out.

ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR THE THRILL OF IT

Glad I caught this on Jen's page because I was about to head upstairs and ravage my man...or something, then step out for the evening. I guess I'll catch the bus into town and check this out as Panda says he's planting himself on the sofa tomorrow for some football game (ew?) so he won't be able to drive me.

I'm trying to figure out Twitter. All that @-ing at someone. It looks like foul language. Twitter looks a mess.

Anyways, we're on the list for a pervy party tonight. Checking out The Batcave LA too, hopefully.

I'm in a really good mood after healthy, minimal eating, laps in the pool and tennis. Here, have a song.

I was giving my resume a makeover and then I ended up joining Twitter. Ewww...so...there it is in the right column. Can't really promise to be very interesting on there. But, yuh know, it's there. Or you can click this picture. Whatev.

BROKEN BONES AND EXPOSED HEARTS

Just remembering a moment (the first Hoodoo Voodoo party ever).
I miss London.
A little more than a little.
Especially Fi and Becks.
Keep the bed warm for me, guys. I'll be back soon. X