Please don't make me go back there

In case you hadn't heard...


net-a-porter says out loud what I've been ignoring

Marc Jacobs Fall 09 Runway show Style.com



Apparently in this time of depression, we're not looking toward the glittery flapper era for inspiration but the fun and carefree days of the 80's. When New York was seedier, The art world was HOT, Studio 54 was in full swing, and the back of any toilet had a few lines of coke up for offer.

I was in Jr High/ High School then, so none of that applies to me but the shoulder pads? the day-glo? the tall hair? that's something I know about.

I have a theory about trends. If you've lived through the first version, you're not allowed to return. The exception to this rule is Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn, timeless clothing. Please don't make me go back there. My shoulders are already wide enough as it is.

swoon

Bergdorf Goodman
Dior's aggressive black shoe $1390

One more flash back

I just couldn't start my blog with the one below *blushing* she totally made me do it.

So distracting you...How totally cute is Paul Weller? *sigh* music starts on a couple seconds delay as an fyi 26 sec mark dunno why

Style Council: My Ever Changing Mood

Tuck and Roll my friends...tuck and

*blushing* I had nothing to do with this I swear. She's totally holding a gun to my head right this very second as I type this but my friend Pam wanted me to point out something of note to you all. Or as she put it "h*ly sh*t did you see his giant &*^%" That's a direct quote and if you knew her you would understand. There were more expletives to go with that but I told her I had to draw the line somewhere I'm just not that kind of girl *blushing*

Note to stylist, pack some sort of undergarment for the male clients in your kit when client is wearing white suit.

via> eonline> Steve Granitz>Getty images

Excuse me why I have an Elvis moment

I don't have fond memories of most 80's music. Duran Duran [ok maybe Rio], Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode...nada
Elvis Costello?...now he's my man! [and a little Style Council please]

If Sophia Loren had a bubble next to her last night

You know when she was presenting the best actress with the other winners last night? I decided if she was to have had a bubble over her head it would have said something like this "Bitches I've been working here for 50 years and I'm still hot to trott"

The dress was a little poofy and her hair was sort of ratty but girlfriend has still got it goin' on!

In The Weeds

I've written this 3 or 4 times now but I think I'm just going to keep it as simple and to the point as I can without all my vague details.

I'm in the weeds folks. I don't know how else to say it to make it funnier, sound better, anything but what is the truth. Like many people, my job is in serious jeopardy at the moment. Our biggest account is up for review and it's been a little scary, a little truth searching, and a lot of good thoughts in the past week.

Things might be a little funky here at the ranch for a while. It may involve just posting something pretty and completely over the top. A shiny something to distract myself with while I'm working with my lovely cohorts to save our work. Send good thoughts. I love them all.

Pinky Swear

To have something interesting to say next week but may I direct you to this hilarious site?

Passive Aggressive Notes Yes, fab notes from the passive aggressive

forgive me for phoning it in lately...I'm working my ass off over here.


May I direct you to the best coverage of the New York Fashion Shows? The twitter recaps are the best part. Pictured: my LA fashion girls I love so much, Rodarte.

image> Eric Ray Davidson for The Moment Blog

It's a soup sorta day

It's blustery, and rainy here in beautiful So. Cal. Today is a great day for my almost homemade chicken [or veggie] soup. I thought I would share my cheater way through it. I'm lazy, super lazy when it comes to cooking. It has to be easy, quick and be yummy.


•2 boxes of Imagine Organic Vegetable Broth [I've tried others stay with this one /regular not low sodium] available at Whole Foods.
•1 shallot [trader joes]
•1/3 of a container of pre-chopped onions [whole foods]
•mushrooms 3/4 of a precut bag or a box of whole minis

•sautee mushrooms onions and shallot with a splash of olive oil
add veggie broth boxes.

•Add any or all of the following:
1 bag of baby carrots, broccoli, cauliflower precut and washed [trader joes carries one with all three together]
other variables, red pepper, zuccini, leeks anything left over from the previous week

•one package of thai style lime pilaf [you can go healthy with brown rice but this is really yummy] trader joes

•you know those whole roast chickens available under the heater at the market? buy one and strip it clean
add it to your soup to make a heartier version or just go veggie/rice.

•lastly 4-6 lemons, trust me on this one it's amazing. you'll need 3/4 to 1 cup of lemon juice. Don't do the stuff
from the plastic lemon, I've tried it and it's just not the same. I cheat in a lot of areas but this one I wouldn't advise.

simmer about 45 min or until carrots are soft. freezes well too

New In the Studio - A bunch of stuff

A 12th birthday go-kart party [I think I'm reliving my boring childhood through her!] digitally printed, shipped in a tube with matching address and return labels.

Illustration by Sasway Illustration


For the party people in my life
letterpressed, two colors, 110# Crane's Lettra paper
Red envelope

currently available at The Kids Are Alright, Long Beach and soon Etsy


For the sober or just fancy people in my life. Don't you love the swirl? I'm having a swirly moment.

letterpressed, two colors, 110# Crane's Lettra paper
Red envelope
currently available at The Kids Are Alright, Long Beach and soon Etsy

Big Love

Probably not what you would imagine my Valentine's Day posting to be. I thought I would keep you on your toes and continue this very odd Gay-Lesbian-Drag Queen-hot trannie mess that I've been reporting on here this week. I'm sure my family who reads is thinking 'what the hell is going on down in Southern California?' Nothing...just a little style is all, no need to worry. Still like boys, I swear.



If you follow fashion you'll know that this magazing Love is set to release [limited] on Valentine's Day tomorrow in London. It will release next week to the general public. You would also know that the fashion industry has been clawing at this new mag for months now. I have to say I'm intrigued by the hooplah of it all. I want one, and I don't even know why I want it. [the marketing worked people].

The editor of this new rag is Katie Grand. She apparently is the real version of Rachael Zoe. The stylist to everyone under the stars, the woman who makes shit happen. I had never heard of her before this hooplah, apparently I'm not in the loop of things [and I really thought I was]

By the way...the lovely curvy woman on the cover is Beth Ditto, singer for The Gossip, she also writes a column for The Guardian titled "what would Beth Ditto do?". She also is the total s*it in London as Wikipedia reports:

"Ditto came to wider public attention in November 2006 when she was selected by NME as the coolest person in rock—being placed at number one in the magazine's annual "Cool List." The magazine cited her "non-conformity" as the reason for her selection - she is a lesbian, an outspoken advocate of gay rights, weighs 210 lbs and is also in a relationship with a transman."

Did I mention that The Gap is involved too? They printed limited edition tshirts of this cover available tomorrow in one of their stores [London only]. We totally are missing out on the scene people.

Just keeping you kids in-the-know here...now when your teenager comes home and says mom I really want to get the new Gossip cd you can say "oh yah, Beth Ditto she totally rocks" and your kid will say how do you know about her? Oh jeez her and Katie Grand did this great Magazine they are the bomb.

Did you know?

That The Library of Congress has a Flickr account? No joke, and it's amazing.

While doing some research for the office today I stumbled upon these amazing photographs. Did you also know that there are no rights restrictions on these? This photographer was hired by the government to shoot these and document history just for us. We already paid the man. Knowing what I do about good photographer's rates I'm sure we didn't pay him enough, but I am grateful for his artist eye and amazing camera skills. You can purchased higher resolution photos on CD if you would like to use them for a collateral usage, or you can buy actual prints from them too.


Rosie The Riveter stopping for a lunch break. Check out her Thermos, I bet that was a glass one. Remember those? Ummmm warm milk at lunch time with a Bologna sandwich.

No safety goggles here! all a girl needs is a good scarf and a cardigan sweater to keep her safe.



And may I introduce you to Mr. F.W. Hunter? He was a test pilot and worked out of the Long Beach Airport. I bet some of those cutie "Rosies" above covered this one in a few red lipstick kisses.

All of these were taken by photographer Alfred Palmer who is my new hero. You can see more collections on Flickr this one was found with keywords, WW2, Long Beach

The word of the day

The word of the day via the bitchiest show on TV: Rupaul's Drag Race.
A Maneltoe: The male version of a Cameltoe.

Usage:
"I really wanted to wear short shorts but I needed to make sure I didn't have maneltoe which is the male version of a camel toe."

explanation of the usage:
"I'm going to have to put my balls behind by body today" Ongina explains, "I don't really tuck as a drag queen, I try and avoid it because it really hurts"

More Gay & Lesbian Video At LogoOnline.com

May I introduce you to some of the contestants? Ongina [the fab tiny, queenie asian boy], Shannel, Tammy [the scariest version of mommy dearest/ Lawerence Welk ever], Akasha ["There's always a bitch and I'm happy to be that person"], Jade [Hottie hot hot], and Nina Flowers are just a few. I know you all have it Tivo'd but in case you forgot you can see full episodes on Logo.

I think SGM needs to add this recap to her rotation

love=marriage, not your parts

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Some of the most successful partnerships I know are gay couples. In fact they have been more successful at it than both myself and my parents!

California is still battling this dumb, dumb proposition. It doesn't matter what parts you have in your pants. If you love someone you should be able to marry them and have the equal rights that our country was founded on as in: "All men are created equal" [the color of your skin nor the person you love should determine these rights]

I can recommend...

Uh Yah...the Sephora gal lead me to this...Super Lip Gloss by Make Up Forever

Super sticky, sheer color, layerable for more color, stays on for days

New In the Studio - A couple of birthdays

I didn't get a chance to photograph these before the sun went down so you'll have to enjoy a digital picture. Again, filling my own need really. I needed a humorous one for friends and a regular one for those who I can't joke with in that way.

Both turned out pretty fun. The swirly b-day has me a bit spellbound though. I feel as if there will be more swirly moments in my future.

My MFA in Beauty

I *heart* blush A LOT. It makes me well...look like I'm alive rather than my pasty, dead, white self. I've been out of my Tarte for a while now and just keep forgetting to pick one up when I'm at the mall [maybe because I haven't been].



A couple weeks ago I was reading More Magazine, you know the one...for women of a certain age magazine. They said when you hit 40 that you should move to a cream blush vs a powder so that looks part of your skin, vs sitting on top of it. This made me realize something. This education of mine, this beauty MFA I've given myself over the last 20+ years in makeup and eyeliner...it means Jack Sh*t. I've gotta relearn everything for my 40 year old self. I mean...I didn't know that and I read every stinkin' article, in every friggin' magazine known to man. I'm telling you...I was all set for my dissertation I was "this" close to my Doctorate in Beauty.

Cream blush instead of powder. I liked it before this but now, now it's not a want, it's a need. If you need me this weekend I'll be at Sephora buying the Tarte and probably 3 other things I never knew I needed.

PS it is a great product, even when I was 35. Sheer color, easily blendable and lasts for about a year. It always helped glue on that powder blush too. Apply before you put your powder on [after lotion/foundation] otherwise the stick rubs the powder into little clumps. keep out of the heat in summer. One blobby little mess I tell ya.

Chocolate jewels

It is fast approaching V-Day so gifts are sort of on my brain right now. I'm a Valentine's Day person. Some people aren't but after years of being sad while single I made a decision that I was going to make it the best day ever. Even though I have a lovebug now, I still go out of my way to give treats to my girls [and some guy friend too]. I've done some elaborate gifts for my girlfriends over the years such as painted tiffany blue boxes with a giant candy diamond ring inside, letterpressed posters, pieces of art...I'm slacking this year and I'm scrambling in desperation right now. I have a very half-assed idea planned. So i'm on a dead run printing my ass off this week to get to the plate and color that I need. It's too late to explain why I can't jump from point A to point D in the color thing.

But while looking at another favorite food store of mine Dean & Deluca [why oh why do they not exist on the west coast?] I found these fabulous chocolate gems A little steep for my ideas but how cute are they?



CHOCOLATE JEWELS
This richly hued assortment of hand-painted chocolate jewels is a sure way to capture anyone's heart. Large dark chocolate diamonds are filled with creamy Champagne or Grand Marnier ganache. Smaller gems are solid dark chocolate or dark chocolate crunch. Sixteen pieces, 9 oz, total USA $100

Patrick Roger Chocolates

French Darling, very expensive but I bet so yummy. The blue box isn't horrible either.

hottie hotness

yes, please- in my next life as a rich woman with a good spine.

Alexander Mc Queen > via Net-A-Porter $835

We interrupt this blog for a casting notice

So I happen to know the casting director for this show. They are looking for their new Bachelor so if you know of anyone and want to be connected email me. They are Looking for 25-35 [will go to 40] all-American, you know handsome and has it ALL minus the girl. They do want someone interested in finding love and not just wanting to be on TV.

email me richele [at] richiedesigns.com
for more info.

New In the Studio -It's Always Something

I've been sitting on this file for about 5 months now. It just seemed such a downer to me that I thought no one is going to want this card. I decided to say f**k it and do it anyway. I generally print or design things that I need for myself and this one could have been put to use a number of times during that waiting period. So there you have it "my own private idaho". Please click on the images to see them larger the type detail is really fun - my photography not so much on these.




hand lettered text, letterpressed on cream and bright white stock with moss ink.
A4 size $4.50

PS I'll finally be getting my Etsy site up and running soon with credit card purchases available. If you need one right away, avail by check. just email. Also coming shortly...some awesome birthday cards. I'll be busy the next couple of weeks printing.