Moonbow- Lunar Rainbow This Weekend!

Did you know that there is a lunar rainbow? If you are in Yosemite this weekend, check it out.
Somewhere under the moonbow

L'invasione Italiana

The largest MV Agusta Motorcycle gathering in the US started at the Angleles Crest Highway in Glendale CA and travelled to Newcombs Ranch. MV and Ducati riders from Northern California to San Diego and even Arizona made the annual trip to bask in the glory of Italian motoring design. New favorite color: Ducati Red. Is it wrong to get a pedicure with motorcycle touch-up paint?

The Art of Italian Motoring

On Father’s Day, Beverly Hills hosted the annual Concours d’Elegance on

Rodeo Drive

, paying tribute to some of the most famous and beautiful examples of Italian design. This years tribute to Italian motorcycles and automobiles was one of the best collections of I have ever seen assembled which makes it even more amazing that the event is free and open to the public.

The most famous autos were well represented- Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini, Maserati, Lanica, as well as Ducati, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Lambretta for the moto enthusiasts. There was even a sweet vintage Vespa that I wanted desperately to take for a spin ala Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.

The perfect Father’s Day event, the C d’E. had something for everyone- legendary cars, quirky gourmet food trucks (Italian meatballs anyone?), shopping and window gawking along Rodeo and a number of other Italian design firms from Murano glass to fashion.

The only thing that could have topped it… if they let you pick your favorite to drive home in. La vita dolce!

SoCal Chroma Zone Event: June 10, 2011

Color Marketing Group held its SoCal Chroma Zone meeting on the beautiful campus of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising on Friday. The event was primarily attended by color experts from the Southwest US, although there were a handful of participants from the East Coast sprinkled into the group.

The event began with a presentation from Mike Shamassian of Shmaze Custom Coatings who detailed his Custom Design Studio- a state of the art facility that revolutionized color design and prototype development. He had on hand some of his magnificent custom work, from ski goggles, to sunglasses, to smart phones, laptop computer covers, automotive features and even a fantastic hair dryer! Companies like Oakley, Nokia, Blackberry, Giro, Nissan and Motorola are clients and it is easy to see why. Mike showed amazing finishes that pushed the innovation envelope for color, sheen, texture and effect.

Next, the Color Workshop started and the groups started on what would eventually become the SoCal Chroma Zone palette of 12 colors. Each Chroma Zone palette- New York, SoCal, Chicago etc... will be displayed at the International Meeting in San Antonio in September and in addition, the palettes are available to CMG members. The work halted for lunch and our second speaker, but resumed with great energy and lasted until campus closed!

After lunch we heard from our second presenter, Vicky Deger. Vicky is a costume designer and wardrobe stylist working in LA and I first met this interesting Aussie on the set of a TV commercial shoot. Vicky treated us with an overview of her work and the process he uses to determine color and style choices for projects. We got the inside scoop on subjects like the use of color to subtly covey messages to the viewer, the implications of color and style choices on film, dressing kids and more. We were also lucky to have Vicky participate in the Color Workshops.

In addition to the event content, our hosts from the FIDM displayed inspiring student work throughout the room and campus. They also made available a collection of gowns that were on display for participants to view at their leisure.

The next CMG event is the big International Conference set for September in San Antonio. Registration for the conference and rooms at the conference hotel are OPEN!  

AREO

The website is sh**, but it is impossible to leave their brick and mortar store without buying SOMETHING- it is wonderful. This is the best location if you are looking for a hostess gift. Spend a little or spend a lot- no matter. They will gladly wrap your purchase in a beautiful package with a bow making gift giving super quick and easy. Visit often- items change all the time and the two owners are delightful. 207 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach

Cake Pops Are The New Cupcake

If you have been to a baby shower or wedding shower in the last 18 months, you have no doubt encountered the cake pop. These little bits of heavenly goodness look and taste so sweet my teeth hurt just thinking about them. The one draw back is the time involved in creating these little cuties (hours) far exceeds the time needed to consume them (nanoseconds). It's like the old tootsie pop commercial one...two... chomp! This explains why they are ubiquitous at showers, where guests don't get a chance to scarf them down until they are distributed on the way out the door... giving them extended ogle time so the chef feels vindicated for losing an entire weekend to baking.
These beauties are from bakerella.com

New at MyTights.com

Spring's new styles from our favorite stocking shop in the UK. Check out http://www.mytights.com/

Find out more about CMG ChromaZone Events

Find out more about CMG ChromaZone Events

Toilet for Four Please

The Modern Toilet restaurants in Taipei Taiwan are a chain of themed eateries and according to their website "In an age where creative marketing is king, even feces can be turned into gold." It all started when the owners started serving chocolate soft-serve in mini toilet bowls.

Customers sit on toilet bowls (lid closed) at a glass table with a sink underneath. Drinks are served in mini urinals and your meal comes in a mini toilet bowl.


Hmmmm.

Look Good Cooking

Hate to cook? That's no reason not to look fabulous in the kitchen. Blithe adds a little color in the kitchen with brightly patterned aprons and mits so regardless of how dinner comes out... the hostess always looks good.

Fushia Sea Flower Apron

Orange Ginko Oven Mits

Classical Cool Print Apron

Something blue...

Getting married? Already have something old, new and borrowed? I highly recommend finishing the checklist with one of the gorgeous porcelain patterns by Haviland. Striking patterns and designs in all versions of the hue from red influenced blue to green-based blue.

Liberty

Dammouse



Pompadour



 



Bassora



Unique and Beautiful Jewelry at Left Turn Gallery

Left Turn Gallery is located downtown Laguna Beach. Check out a new necklace named Pandora Island, made of watermelon tourmaline polished slices and rough barrel cut green tourmaline. http://www.leftturnjewelry.com/whats-new.html 

Here are some other beautiful designs:

From the New Orleans Collection: Voodoo- Multicolor Howlite Skulls and Sterling Silver

Everglade Necklace of Calibrated Peridot & Carnelian Teardrops

From the Lola Collection: Silver Glitz- Shell Pearls and Sterling Silver Chain

Passione Italiana: Design of the Italian Motorcycle, Exhibition at MODA

The Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA), in association with the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, introduces Passione Italiana curated by Joe Remling of ai3, Inc. – an examination of the astonishing design passion and technological advancement behind the most desired motorcycles in the world. This exhibition presents eleven masterpieces of Italian motorcycle design spanning the last five decades including motorcycles by MV Agusta, Ducati, Bimota and Moto – Morini.

With a dynamic and exclusive mixed media backdrop and freestanding interpretative stations, the exhibition will showcase and discuss the design of Italian motorcycles in the larger context of fashion, industrial and furniture design. This rare and intimate exhibition will compare design and technological advancements of vintage Italian motorcycles to their contemporary counterparts. By exploring the ingenuity and creative evolution of Italian motorcycle design, Passione Italiana will expose the raw passion of their designers and riders.           

For more information, visit: www.museumofdesign.org

(Information courtesy of MODA website)

Lollipops You Won't Find At The Bank

Absinthe Pop

Bacon

Guava Marshmello

Espresso Coconut Jalepeno

Peach Schnapps

Roobios Tea, White Tea, Black Tea, Thai Tea, Chai Tea 

Cucina Alessa in Laguna Beach

 I am pretty spoiled when it comes to Italian food. It is one of the perks of marrying into a family of Italian descent. It does however make me a complete snob when it comes to eating Italian food at a restaurant… I have very high standards since what I get at home is so good. One place that does not disappoint is Cucina Alessa in Laguna Beach. My absolute favorite is Pappardelle Al Sugo D’Agnello which is fresh made wide pasta with lamb brasato and ricotta salata. I swear I get light headed when I eat it – it is THAT good. OK, to be honest, I have only ever ordered this dish but I have tasted my husband’s selections and they were equally as yummy. This place does get crowded especially in the evening (and the service can get a little dicey when they are packed) but the food is well worth the wait. Nice wine selection too. Try a weeknight when the weather is nice and sit outside.