Have a Happy Healthy New Year! See you all in 2007! Oodles of posts on 12.30.06 so scroll down to catch up on back reading.

This was too beautiful not to share. Cherry trees after an ice storm in Ceres, near Cape Town, South Africa. [photos: hemmy.net]

If you find yourself in Fullerton, California, have a lovely bite to eat at Hidalgo. Located in this picturesque Spanish style building, Hidalgo is a hidden gem. A few years ago, we outside ate in the courtyard, next to gigantic rosemary bushes, growing right in the ground! (I am continually amazed to see the potted plants of the East Coast growing right in the ground, year-round in the West. That is a constant treat for me.) This time we ate indoors because it was cold, but it was still a lovely meal.

Menu highlights: Seared Ahi Tuna Salad, Pepper Crusted Ahi Tuna, Grilled Fish Tacos, Ceviche Andaluz, Mahi Poblano, and more. The restaurant is dressy and is one of the few non-chain restaurants in the Southland. A must-try.

courtyard entry

Fullerton at dusk.
Fullerton is a nice old town.
Still on a walking, human scale, uncorrupted by massive roads,
too many cars and too many strip malls and chains.

Check out this interview on Boston-based blog, "Drivetime." Kind of a fun idea, author and vloggist, Ravi Jain amusingly deadpans into the camera about his various musings on his way to work. His sarcastic side-kick and co-vloggist, Sonia, has good timing too. This interview with James Hull, an old friend from Boston, is a good one. If you have ever been to the Gallery at Green Street, you may find this clip informative. [image: Drivetime]

***
Update:
Aha. The Boston art scene is so intertwined. More about the passing of the baton from Green Street to Axiom Gallery:

One of the gallery prime-movers (or perhaps just featured artist, I am not sure) is Drivetime's Ravi Jain. The first exhibit showcases his work.

Why drop the established name, Gallery at Green Street, and change the name to Axiom? Axiom is an already established gallery in Inman Square. And already won Best Art Gallery from The Weekly Dig, excerpted below. Why am I so interested? This used to be my hood, and my subway stop. gee

Art gallery

Axiom Gallery

It was a tough contest, but this young, upstart gallery ultimately bested a whole list of much older, more-established venues. Co-conspirators Phaedra Shanbaum and Heidi Kayser have brought a smart and inventive curatorial eye, plus a kicky sense of fun, to the local art scene. The gallery focuses mainly on interactive sculpture and video art—such as their recent exhibit of the many-limbed creatures of video sculpture artist Michael Reese—and is prone to bizarre (but still accessible) concepts, such as an upcoming exhibit in which artists turn cake into an art medium. [186 Hampshire St., Inman Sq., Cambridge. 617.513.6375. axiomart.org]

I just switched to the new version of Blogger. Excited to see how the tagging helps index pages. What should I label this post? Examples at the bottom are "scooters, vacation, fall." How about scooters.

***
Update:
Now that I am using the new Blogger, I have some questions. How do you "publish" your new template changes? There is no button. UGH. The new version of Blogger is supposed to "free you from publishing." The changes publish automatically. But what about the template changes? HELP. The new version seems to be more push-button, more visual. I like the old one. More text-based. We'll see. Maybe the new version will grow on me.

Being from Greenpoint, we have a natural proclivity for Dollar Stores. And what should we find in our travels along Imperial Highway in Orange County, but a 99 Cents Store! (Yes we walked. No, no one else was walking. Yes we had access to a car, but we were worried that our legs would go all gamy on us. When I say 'highway' I don't mean freeway with cloverleaf turns and left lane exits. I mean a road less traveled by foot. A road densely dotted by strip malls and massive parking lagoons, is 6 lanes wide, has crosswalks, but you have to run at top speed to get across. It is rather terrifying.)

Inside we serpentined the aisles. It was heaven. As it turns out, the California 99 Cents stores are similar to the ones depicted in Andreas Gursky's photographs, that we both love and want to acquire, but alas, go for millions and we can't afford exactly just yet. So I took these reference shots. I hope Mr. Gursky reads my post.

A lone Chinese restaurant in a parking lagoon in Orange County. Look how the doors are faded by the California sun. We liked the looks of this place. The only problem: turn around and see the landscape of cars, cars and more cars. Endless parking lagoons. This was a small one.

We walked here. We did not meet fellow walkers in our travels. Nobody walks in L.A., as the song says...

If we could bring liquids on airplanes nowadays, we would have brought La Sabrosita and El Pato back with us. I'll bet they are good ones. Alas, the liquid law. Instead we took this photo.

The Pacific Ocean, leaving California.
Our wing in the upper left.


The mountains start.
Don't these mountains look kind of like
the sculpted mashed potatoes at Balducci's?
Come back later for a comparison shot.

Ice begins to form on the window.
Look at these mountains! Just incredible.

Woorijip! Need I say more? You will thank me later.

As you can see, I am in the midst of posting about our California trip, but as I am aware that people are not particularly interested in one's endless vacation tales, I have inserted a New York-related post, for those who like food, Koreatown, and general merry making. Take a field trip here today.

Looky what I brought back from California! Actual fruits from actual trees from actual backyards! I know, I don't quite understand it either. Pictured above, delicious tangerines and lemons. I can't wait to try the lemon. And cuttings of succulents! From my father-in-law's garden. I meant to take in situ photos of the plants, but I forgot. If you could only see how large and beautiful these plants are in his garden. Two nights ago, I potted them all, and they look quite lovely. Photos to follow.

I wanted to post again today so you wouldn't be worried about me. The milk is still good!

Did you know that if you keep your refrigerator closed for 8 days, the milk, that says it will expire on December 19, won't? Here it is December 29 and I am still drinking my milk with an expiration date of December 19. For the record, normally I prefer Skim, but the store was out of it at the time. I guess I should treat myself to new milk today. If I don't post for a few days, you'll know it was the milk.

Welcome back! I have been away in Southern California, with many tales to tell of warm weather, actual fruits that grow on actual trees, and palm trees wrapped in Christmas lights. My first California Christmas. I wonder if Nazareth looked something like this.

There were a lot of interesting factoids and tidbits for this East-Coast-Girl to take in. People in flip-flops and turquoise sun visors. Churches closed on Christmas Day. I wonder if Mary decked her halls with icicle lights and inflatable Santas. I wonder. I have pictures that I will share. I am still a bit jet-lagged. I thought this exercise class would help my internal clock reset itself to New York time. I hope I survive.

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My comment: oy.

Whenever I watch Roadtrip Nation, a 30 minute weekly television show on PBS, I get a little choked up. In a recent Sunday episode, the interview that got me was with Richard Meier. He talked about when he was a kid, he was always making something. I liked the way he spoke about what he does. (I also happen to like his buildings very much. Particularly, the Getty Center Museum. Yes I know, there are major criticisms of the blindingly white building that leads you inside a dark gallery and on to a bright outdoor balcony, but I think it adds to the experience of being there. It is very L.A. What can I say. The views are quite breath-taking. And I happened to like the espresso bar.)

Anyway, I digress. Each episode of Roadtrip Nation features interviews with notable figures in various professions. The three college students who do the interviews are in search of themselves and their own passions, and thus ask such questions as, "How and when did you know you wanted to do ____ with your life," etc. If you are searching for that nugget or moment that will make your life have meaning, I recommend watching this show. Even if you don't happen to be on a self-discovery journey of your own (but who isn't?), it will still have resonance. It does with me.


posted from sunny California

It's my blog's one year anniversary!!!

I started blogging with this post, and haven't stopped. Take a moment and read some from the archives. Click and read.

Thanks for clicking and reading for these past twelve months!

xo
Elaine

Can someone tell me why Prada doesn't have a Website yet? For 5 years, the site is still just a splashpage. Curious.

This is one of the more beautiful sites I have seen.

Many great Brooklyn designers will come together for one glorious day this Saturday for The Gift on Grand. With so much upscale indie talent under one roof, how can you miss it? And the space is quite nice too: the historic Northside Bank Building. Tell all your friends. I've written about some of the designers in my Gift Guide. And one of the designers is me! Please forward the link to this post to all your fashion friends. Spread the word! Many thanks. We all really appreciate it.

LIST OF DESIGNERS

Ann Wood
paper mache and handmade fabric birds

Bonbon Oiseau
jewelry and hair adornment

Deadly Squire
patterned products for home, dog, and baby

Elaine Perlov
east-meets-west mimimalist clothing, tees & belts

Hodge Podge
one of a kind clothing and accessories

Jane D'Arensbourg Glass Jewelry

Jezebel
cards & stationery. correspondence for the vagabond heart

Kristen Aronsson
leather handbags

Lena Corwin
plates, pillows, and neckties

Mm
ceramic jewelry and more

M. Carter
t-shirts for men and women

Mociun
dresses, screenprinted tops, clothing

Moonblood
t-shirts for men and women

Paige Martin
jewelry

Paping
comics zine by John Mejias and friends

Partyka
artist collective featuring comics, zines, drawings

Plunket & Pivet
leather handbags

Purldrop
hand knit and crochet hats, scarves, jewelry, and accessories

Seana Gordon
women's clothing

Scent by Alexis
hand-blended scents

Stellapop
handknit sweaters

Therapy
bath salts, one of a kind clothing creations

Xerise
jewelry

Xquizzy
handbound journals

Black Dahlia Bracelet, $128

La Fleur et l'Ourse Bracelet, $118

Would you like to see one of these bracelets from Bonbon Oiseau* adorning your wrist this Holiday Season? Wouldn't you love to toast the New Year, champagne glass held high, with these lovely charms catching the light? Check out bonbonoiseau.com and start compiling your wishlist for earrings, bracelets, necklaces and key fobs. Or see these beauties in person at The Gift on Grand in Williamsburg next Saturday from 11-8. Shop online or shop in person.** Either way, it is a fashion win-win.


*Bonbon Oiseau is based in Brooklyn. Of course. All great designers are based in Brooklyn.

**Bring all your friends to The Gift on Grand this Saturday. There will be a whole room full of great Brooklyn designers there, showing their handmade creations. If you only have time to shop one indie event this holiday season, shop The Gift on Grand. If I do say so myself.

Vieux Rose Bracelet, $128

L'Abeille and Mustang Key Fobs, $48 each

ORLA KIELY BUSINESS BAG, $417

Who doesn't love Orla Kiely? I ask you. I'm a fan for sure. I like this business-meets-artist 'briefcase-style' bag, pictured above. And how about this custom-made bag by Freddy&Ma, below. I saw both offererings on handbag and fashion blog, What's Haute.

FREDDY&MA BOWLER BAG, $340

I find myself walking around the city saying to myself, "Use this elf" over and over again. Why is that in my head? Where did I read that? And then I saw it. The issue of TimeOut that was buried in the stack of Domino, Real Simple and holiday catalogues. I went straight to the Pizza issue and missed the Gift issue.

UseThisElf.com is the "Live Gift Guide" for TimeOut New York. Click around. See if it proves helpful. Now that I told you about it, maybe it will leave my head as my walking-around mantra. I could use a new mantra.

And while I'm on the topic of TimeOut New York, did you hear they have a new blog? Who doesn't these days. Anyway, check it out here.

Want to do some holiday merry-making this weekend and avoid the crowds at Macy's? By the way, I attempted to browse some things at Macy's this past weekend, and the mob filled the entire block! I turned right around. Macy's is best saved for the weekdays.

Take a little respite from the shopping crowds and try the museum crowds instead. For a lovely afternoon, take in the new Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. Afterwards, browse the cheese selection at Zabar's on Broadway and 80th Street. Don't forget to get some smoked fish too.

And then, walk a few blocks down for a wonderful Greek meal at Niko's Mediterranean Grill, guaranteed to stuff you to the gills. They have a special plank-grilled whole fish that you will love. And of course all the great Greek mezze. They have 2 full pages of mezze! The best tables are in the window under the grape arbor. You will thank me later.

American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, 212.769.5100, Planetarium shows every half-hour, 10:30-4:30, Museum closes at 5:45pm
Zabar's, Broadway at 80th Street, 212.496.1234, closes at 6pm on Sunday; 8pm on Saturday
Niko's Mediterranean Grill & Bistro, Broadway at 76th Street, 212.873.7000

the Zabar's crowds

Zabar's cheese section, wow and yum!

Niko's!

Flight 001 celebrates their new store on Smith Street in Brooklyn with a little shopping party. [Click on the invitation above to enlarge.] Yes their will be discounts! Stock up on Flight 001 products tonight with a savings of 20% off. The event begins at 7pm. Check out this blog's previous post for a little background information on the store.


Flight 001, 132 Smith Street, Brooklyn

SATIN KARATE BELT + T-SHIRT GIFT COMBO

This morning, there seems to be some hiccups with the Web hosting of my site. If you are not seeing the masthead of my blog above, chances are, elaineperlov.com is having temporary server problems. Fear not, they will be remedied, today I am sure! When you see the images come back, start shopping! [update: remedied!]

HOLIDAY PARTY PIECES FOR YOU
AND...


...GIFT IDEAS FOR YOURS
ON ELAINEPERLOV.COM

Check out this cute Skirt Poncho by Brooklyn designer, Kathy Malone. It's convertible! And the price is quite nicer than nice at $45, available sml. Before you buy, click this link to look at more of her form-fitting draped skirts.

Kathy also does great "Reinventions" where she cuts the bulk out of vintage blazers, deconstructs them, and creates her own signature slim-fit you will love. Browse her Website, fofolle.com. There are plenty of offerings for women and kids. Or see her pieces in person at Micro Museum in Brooklyn on Sunday, December 17.




This just in!
Today Kathy made The List: The Park Slope 100 on Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn. She is listed with a lovely picture, and right above Marty Markowitz (good company). Congratulations Kathy! Two blog posts in one day. gee

Look at this wonderful drawing by Lisa Solomon. I found her by way of one of my favorite blogs, Happy Mundane. Lisa has a blog, and also a separate website for her art. Check it out her pieces!


Pictured above: Bed Drawing - Texas Hold 'em [red], 2006, watercolor and thread on dura-lar, 14" x 17" [photo: lisasolomon.com]

I saw these 12 Days of Christmas plates on a Poppytalk this morning. Sadly they are no longer available. But there are so many more goodies. Check out these other great colorful offerings from Rosanna. Her company is based in Seattle. I am rather liking these, the chandelier, in particular.

Great news! Amy Tavern is having her annual 25% off sale, beginning today December 1, on her Website. For those of you not familiar with her work, she does wonderful minimalist jewelry in sterling silver. Each piece is handmade from delicately hammered circles and tiny balls that decorate each piece. The result is simply lovely. The bean bracelet, pictured above, is one of my favorite pieces from her collection. Wouldn't it be lovely to have 3 or 4 bean bracelets? Now that it is on sale, I think that is very possible.

Sale prices are already reflected in the prices shown online. Start adding to your shopping cart today!

From the .ratio collection, minum earrings