Sunday Style Section: Stripes

Stylish girls in stripes on the beach - straight from the 50s but could be today. Love that stripes have made a comeback. I remember growing up in the 90s and reading ladies' fashion magazines and horizontal stripes were the ultimate Unforgivable Crime Against Fashion. Funny how things change, and come around again all the same.

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Inspiration.

I took this photo on my phone this morning on the way to work. I swear I spy the most inspiration and come up with my best ideas in the car (probably because I live in LA and spend half my time in my car). But seriously, doesn't this maintenance(?) truck have the best chevron stripes on the back? I love a good graphic black and white design.

In my day-to-day work I spend a lot of time on the computer, so I'm happy to get out and give my eyeballs a rest with the vivid, beautiful real world whenever I can. And happily, most of the time it hasn't already been re-pinned a billion times already.

Work In Progress

Something is a brewin' in my little studio. A sneak peek at work in progress for my next zine, A Short Guide to Your Bathroom. It's full of ghosts and all sorts of monsters that keep you company in your most vulnerable place...

Sunday Style Section: Reading in the 50s

Love these shots of Marilyn Monroe reading - always in perfect casual 1950s style. Love the rolled up jeans, casual button up shirt with rolled up sleeves, and of course, high-waisted shorts.

A Summer List

Finally delivered a huge project to the printer's today, so I spent the rest of my (finally free again) evening painting and watching trashy television while eating ice cream. It was perfect. So now to make a to-do list for the rest of my summer before it slips out of reach.

Summer 2011 Goals!
- see Tim Burton exhibit at LACMA
- eat oysters on the beach
- read by a pool
- take a mini-break with Ryan
- make new zines in preparation for APE!
- go to Disneyland and see the Mary Blair exhibit
- create a bunch of new work in preparation for graduating
- read at least 6 books
- clean & organize studio and apartment
- have a fun photo shoot
- go to an outdoor movie night
- eat huge ears of corn dripping with butter & take photobooth pictures at a county fair
- make my own ice cream

Let's Catch Up

This is really turning into my foodie call blog, isn't it?

Last week I caught up with a friend over a late lunch (which of course, had to involve two slices of cake) at one of my favorite cafes in LA: Alcove. They have the most amazing food and cake, and cutest outdoor dining area. I swear.

This summer has been flying by, and I really want to be better about remembering it all. Probably because this summer has been spent working with great people; most recently a huge undertaking designing a book that will be published in the fall. I'm so excited to share that when it comes out.

I took demi-breaks between working on the book this weekend, just to get a taste of summer. Ryan and I stopped by Renegade Craft Fair, where I got my hands on an issue of Uppercase (I picked Scooter because he reminded me of my little Oliver). I feared the dreaded Carmageddon, but thanks to our living on the east side - it turned out to be the best weekend ever.

Most importantly, this weekend we took a break from working to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. So good. Still kind of in a sad little haze from the end of the series. How are you dealing with your post-Potter depression? I think I'll re-read the series again from the beginning.

Happy Monday!

Sunday Style Section: Erin Fetherston At Home

Erin Fetherston is one of my favorite designers ever, if possibly just because her lifestyle seems to match the clothes she makes: light and airy, girly and grounded, and all Californian-goes-to-Paris. Living the dream.

I love this apartment feature on her on vogue.com, and am referring to it now more than ever as I'm doing some redecorating of our apartment this summer. Which included buying our first ever couch that won't be a hand-me-down from the family.

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Dinner with Mr. Disney

I know what you're thinking. This foodie call post has no food pictured. Am I losing my mind after burying my head in book design world for the past week? Possibly.

But, walk with me here. This is the wallpaper in the women's restroom of one of my favorite restaurants in LA: the Tam O'Shanter. It was Walt Disney's favorite lunch spot in his day, and when you go (and you really should), you'll see why. It shares many qualities with Disneyland, like the possibly excessive cheesy Scottish-themed decor and the incredible customer service. Which pretty much suits me plenty.

It's a steakhouse, but as someone who does not eat meat, I still have a few good options. I'm especially partial to the Welsh rarebit, which I always share with my fine friend Danielle who introduced me to the place.

Kind of the perfect magical foodie call for the release of the final Harry Potter today!

Summer Meals

It's getting to that point in the summer where I'm totally stumped on what to eat. It's too hot for using the oven or stove, and vegetables wilt pretty much the day after you get them. Can't think about take-out anymore, especially since I've been working 9-6 three days a week this summer and spend most lunches out.

It's dire, people. I'm even bored with breakfast, and breakfast is my favorite meal of all! I could eat it for lunch and dinner as well, and sometimes I do. Not all in one day though, I do have some limitations.

To stay inspired, especially for breakfast, I always look to two of my favorite food blogs: Simply Breakfast and My Breakfast Blog.

And YOU. What are you eating right now?

Acting Kind of Sketchy

I'm working madly on wrapping up a major project this week, in addition to working a couple full days in another office and taking a letterpress(!) class, so you'll have to excuse the lapse in illustrations & updates! Here are just some sketches I squeezed in at the end of the night/while waiting for files to upload in the past week. Gotta keep practicing, otherwise I feel like I'm losing it!

Sunday Style Section: High-Waisted Shorts

This is really turning more into Ann's Summer Wishlist, isn't it? Well, this week my friend Brianna and I were doing some bi-coastal closet wishlist talkin' and we both agreed that high-waisted shorts are at the top of our lists. I'm thinking more denim, but this outfit is just insanely perfect that I would wear pink shorts.

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Foodie Call: LAMILL

My favorite coffee, iced or hot, is found at LAMILL (they serve it at Canele, which is where this was shot).

Lately I've been making lots of iced coffee when I'm working at home, with the rest of the ground Intelligentsia I have. Now, I'm going to say something controversial: I'm actually not that big a fan of Intelligentsia coffee anymore. It's too acidic and greasy for me.

Whew. I feel so much better now that that's off my chest.

Anyway, the key to a perfect iced coffee - besides ice and coffee, duh - is simple syrup. Simple syrup is, well, simply sugar dissolved in hot water. It was an old trick I learned in my college barista days at Peet's.

On second thought, I should start making flavored syrups just by adding some extract...like valencia orange syrup. Does anyone remember when Starbucks used to have that? I miss it so. Surprisingly a perfect match - orange brings out the dark cocoa flavor in coffee.

Oh, the endless, simple possibilities.

The Remedy

Always my cure for a bad day.

Sunday Style Section: Vintage Swimsuits

This week I'm thinking about vintage swimsuits. Especially with the soaring July temperatures + beach-bound holiday weekend. I'm so happy that 50s style maillots are back in fashion. So much chic-er to be in lounging by the pool with an umbrella drink, imho.

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The Mrs.

In celebration of Kate Moss' wedding today. I hope nothing feels as good as being married, either, Mrs. Hince. Happy July, friends!