I have so much blogging and business to catch up with after a week away from the internet and the office. Hopefully I will get back to reading the bazillion or so blogs that I follow in the next day or two.
In the meantime I leave you this video from Vanity Fair with portrait, interior and fashion photographer Todd Selby who shoots creative people in their natural habitats. The video focuses on his collaboration with Louis Vuitton but check out his website The Selby if, like me, you love interior design and are just a t'wee bit voyeuristic. Yes, I admit it, I love to see how the creative hipsters from London to Los Angeles, from Milan to Mexico, live.
Have I ever mentioned to you that I love Cabo San Lucas? With only a short 2 hour flight from noisy, cold and traffic bound Los Angeles you arrive in a quiet, warm and calm paradise at the tip of Baja California where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. It's magical, it really is. I have vacationed along the Cabo Corridor several times before but this was the first time that I stayed at the magnificent Palmilla, part of the outstanding One and Only group of resorts where attention to detail, customer service and quality of experience reign.
The resort is situated on the edge of the Punta Palmilla on the coast where each room has a blue water view.
The overall design I would describe as Hacienda 'lite' with classic Mexican style elements such as dark wood furniture against white walls and Mexican tile and stone work. My room was a spacious 2nd floor suite with high ceilings, a step down sitting room and large terrace.
The grounds are lush with tropical landscaping, green lawns and palm trees are everywhere.
Except for the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks the resort has an overall sense of quietness. The staff is dressed in muted off white Mexican style outfits that evoke more of a spa-like ambiance than that of a busy international hotel.
The Palmilla welcomes families yet the resort doesn't feel overrun by unruly kids. By providing both a family pool and an adult pool you can choose your level of ambient activity.
But wherever you decide to place yourself, the pool, the beach, the spa, the gym, the restaurant, the library, your room, you will be amazed by the service of the staff. For example, whenever you sit by the pool or under a palapa on the beach, you will be brought an ice bucket with bottles of water. Sitting by the pool you will be offered homemade fruit popsicles and frozen yogurt. Your room will be restocked everyday with water bottles, fresh fruit, snacks...and a special tequila. You will be offered water, lemonade, coffee in the library. Your treadmill in the gym will be equipped with a fresh towel and water. There is wireless service throughout, and even the palapas have electrical outlets so that you can plug in your laptop...if you are insane enough to take your computer to the beach.
Did I mention that a butler that comes with your room. I had the fabulous Isaac Armentilla who was there to take care of whatever I needed. I offered to take him home with me but he preferred to stay at the Palmilla...who wouldn't. The service just goes on and on and on.
The food...well it is everything that you would expect. Not that I would go all the way to Mexico to go to Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Market restaurant or Larbi Dahrouch's Mexican-Medeterranean restaurant, Agua, or to have incredible sashimi and ceviche at Nobuo Iwaseya's sushi bar, Suviche, but it is nice to have that choice of cuisine. My Mexico style is more margaritas and guacamole while looking at the view from the outdoor Aqua bar.
For me the decision to go to the Palmilla rather than to any of the other spa/resorts along the Cabo Corridor was the fact that it had a swimmable beach. So instead of lounging around the pretty pool, I was more than happy to stay on the beach and swim in the warm clean water of the Sea of Cortez. While I enjoyed my vacation in Aix-en-Provence last summer because I spent time with friends who are dear to me, I have to admit that the One and Only Palmilla resort was so much better than the Aquabella hotel/spa in Aix and surprisingly priced about the same or even less. Not only was it off season in Cabo when rates are down there was a terrific 4 nights for the price of 3 package which you would never find in France. I totally recommend the Palmilla and would happily stay there again...anytime. And if I ever find myself on the other side of the world I will try the One and Only resorts in Dubai and the Maldives.
Today's photos show surfers at the mouth of Newport Harbor in the 1940s. Note that the rock jetty has not yet been built on the Corona del Mar side. From Duke Kahanamoku's adventures in Newport Beach in the 1910s, to the modern U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, there's a long history of riding the waves here in Orange County.
The "season opener" meeting of the Orange County Historical Society, on Sept. 9th, will explore some of Orange County's surfing history. Dick Metz, board member and founder of the Surfing Heritage Foundation(SHF), will give a talk on this subject, with a special emphasis on the Laguna Beach and Newport Beach areas, his first-hand experiences, and his efforts to develop a place where future generations can learn about the roots and development of surfing. He supplied the vision and initial funding for the SHF. He is also donating his extensive collection of historical surfboards, and has bequeathed his estate to the organization.
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Metz was born in Laguna Beach where he grew up on the beach and learned to surf. A friend of such notables as Hobie Alter, Reynolds Yater, and Hevs McClelland, he is himself a pioneering figure in the sport and industry. He owned the Hobie Sports surf shops for 50 years, lived and surfed in Hawaii for 20 years, and was the driving force behind Surfline Hawaii.
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He traveled the world surfing, and was the first American to surf in South Africa. In fact, it was Metz who suggested South Africa to Bruce Brown as a filming location for “The Endless Summer.” The most spectacular segment of that groundbreaking surf film was shot there.
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The public is welcome to attend this free event, which will be held at Sherman Library & Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar. The event will begin at 6:30pm with an appetizer/desserts potluck (bring enough of something for six people if you'd like to participate). Dick Metz will begin his talk (with "slide show!") at 7:30pm.
Two more images from Irvine Park today. These are from the Spanish American War Monument, which I also mentioned last month. The plaque above is made from metal salvaged from the U.S.S. Maine. The plaque below provides the names of the men of Company L who served in that war. If you'd like to learn more about Company L, track down a copy of Charles Swanner's book, The Story of Company L, Santa Ana's Own (1958). It's available in many libraries and used copies for sale aren't too rare either.
Stephanie George of COPH pointed out today that it's been "thirty-eight years since Heritage Coordinating Council [HCC] was founded as a volunteer group committed to preserving the heritage of Orange County. " The HCC is made up of representatives from various historical libraries, museums, archives and related facilities and organizations throughout the county. It mainly acts as a professional organization with each of us learning about the collections and projects of others -- sharing information and resources.
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If your historical organization is interested in getting involved in HCC, be sure to check their website and ask about coming to their Sept 7th meeting. As Steph wrote, "We’ve sent out invitations to libraries, universities, museums, and archives in the past, but sometimes, people slip through the cracks. It’d be nice to meet some of our colleagues who aren’t already a part of this group."
. By the way, if you didn't get over to see the historic Orange County Hospital(1914) in Orange, forget about it. The bulldozers have done their thing.
As I get ready to fly off to this place for a few days
I feel blessed to be able to take a break from the decline of western civilization a culture that brings us the Jersey Shore and the People of Walmart (warning...these photos are not for the timid)
I will be taking my laptop with me so that I can hopefully catch up on my email...how does it get away from me in a few short months...and my reading.
A silly glass bead necklace by Adesso from Revolve Clothing as an alternative to a classic pearl strand.
The price on this art project necklace you ask
$632
Is that not insane?
The intrinsic value of this nonsense necklace is maybe, and I'm being generous with my maybe,
about $30
Who would buy this...no really I want to know, who?
It pisses me off that women are constantly being encouraged to spend money on utterly ridiculous, trendy and overpriced jewelry, shoes, bags, clothes, etc.
The classic, timeless Grace Kelly look in pearls is actually on trend
And how do I know this you wonder
I know this because fashion editors and stylists are requesting this type of thing for the fashion shoots. In fact this very necklace was requested for the Steven Meisel - Christy Turlington photo shoot for Italian Vogue. It was also requested for a cover shoot by Vanity Fair.
And...it just went out yesterday to a hot star for a red carpet appearance. She may wear it or one of the other pearl necklaces that we loaned. We shall see.
So to anyone who is considering buying the glass bead necklace for $632
can I suggest a fashion intervention by your friends and family
Because friends don't let friends waste money on fashion jewelry.
Yesterday, Knott's Berry Farm began tearing down Goldie's Place (a.k.a. "Gold Dust Goldie's Palace," or "Goldie's Joint.") It was one of the last original 1940 buildings left in Ghost Town. Its design was copied from an building in the real ghost town of Bodie "in the days before so much of the town had been burned out." The photo above shows Goldie's under construction. . Yes, they're going to build a replica on the same spot. Yes, I know the removal of historic stuff began while the Knotts still owned the property. And yes, Goldie's is still standing only because the termites are holding hands. But it's still sad to lose a historic building. A replica is only a replica.
The color photo shows the interior of Goldie's in the 1960s. By most accounts, Cordelia Knott hated having a "house of ill repute" in Ghost Town. But Walter insisted that no replica of an old mining town would be complete without one.
This last photo shows Goldie's in the 1940s, with menfolk climbing up the facade to get to the women. On the far left is Jim Y. "Dad" Lewis. In the center of the photo, giving another guy a boost up to the roof is Arthur D. "Slim" Vaughn (1904-1968).
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When he wasn't working in landscaping or as a tree surgeon, Slim Vaughn, (a.k.a. the "Southwest Tumbleweed" or the "Village Romeo,") explored the desert and hung out "in character" at Old West-themed attractions and events. He also wrote poems and short stories, played a cowboy in films, and was the honorary mayor of Sunland and Tujunga. .
Jim Lewis was an old vaudeville performer who found a new audience as Sheriff Dad Lewis at Knott's Ghost Town. He would entertain and dance for the tourists. One such performance was captured in Knott's 1948 promotional film, "Ghost Town." I've seen some references indicating that he may have been born in Belgium.
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Sorry the posts have been so few and far between, folks. This doesn't indicate a lack of interest on my part. I've just been very busy and have also had some online access problems. However, I'll try to keep posting at least a couple times a week until things get more-or-less back to normal.
I've been away from the blog for too long. I have so much to catch up on. The begining of the year was really stressful for me, but I'm doing much better now and things are looking up for the rest of the year. Right now I am busy preparing for the BurningMan festival in northern Nevada (YAY! I can't express how excited I am) but I will hopefully post some blogs before I leave for the big party in the desert.
For now... enjoy this ridiculously fun youtube commercial I'm in for Boob'l Babes
I had told this photographer that I didn't have big enough boobs to represent a Boob'l Babe, it seemed more like a job for London, but he loved working with me anyway. And I loved working with him. This was a fun shoot and this video cracks me up :)
I'm probably not the only one that didn't find the recent teen-vampire romance movies either attractive or entertaining. Those vampires were just too vanilla. Too designer sculpted to be appealing to an audience of adolescents.
Okay, so here's the180-degree flip of the compass: the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, with three hot bods and a bucket of blood. That's Anna Paquin (from X-Men), her fiance Stephen Moyer (with the strategically placed hand), and co-star Alexander Skarsgard.
Right. Why didn't we think of this before? You get Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas and Winona Ryder in a studio, lay down half a dozen garbage bags -- those big orange ones, big enough to pack half the garden after you've been busy with the weed whackers and chainsaws), and two buckets of blood, and you chuck the buckets over them.
Uh huh. Notice how none of the blood got on Anna's makeup, or in her hair? Now, if we could only figure out how to chuck two (or three) buckets of blood all over Brad, Antoni and Winona, and keep it out of their hair, and off their faces...
Lots of stuff to do this week because next week I'm off to this place
where I plan to do some of this
and some of this
and spend some downtime away from the computer...although I'm taking my laptop of course.
But even away from the keyboard I will be reevaluating business, blogging and all things Beladora, like adding new features, redecorating the site, and starting a corporate blog like the competition, who shall not be named. I will also be considering a road trip to New York and maybe one to London/Paris sometime in the Fall. (And jesus Jill, if you'd ever invite me to El Paso, I'd plan a trip there too) Books to read on the beach are on my mind too, but it is too late for me to order from Amazon, biographies from Antonia Fraiser (thank you tabitha) and novels from Anthony Powell (thank you LBT). I shall be reduced to finding an actual bookstore or worse, buying cheesy paperbacks at the airport. This is what happens when I wait until the last minute...
Contrary to the Machiavellian cliche, nice people are more likely to rise to power. Then something strange happens: Authority atrophies the very talents that got them there.
When CEO Mark Hurd resigned from Hewlett-Packard last week in light of ethics violations, many people expressed surprise. Mr. Hurd, after all, was known as an unusually effective and straight-laced executive.
But the public shouldn't have been so shocked. From prostitution scandals to corruption allegations to the steady drumbeat of charges against corporate executives and world-class athletes, it seems that the headlines are filled with the latest misstep of someone in a position of power. This isn't just anecdotal: Surveys of organizations find that the vast majority of rude and inappropriate behaviors, such as the shouting of profanities, come from the offices of those with the most authority.
Psychologists refer to this as the paradox of power. The very traits that helped leaders accumulate control in the first place all but disappear once they rise to power. Instead of being polite, honest and outgoing, they become impulsive, reckless and rude.
So contrary to Machiavelli's advice to "The Prince" being feared over being loved doesn't lead one to a place of power. Power is rewarded on likable people who are diplomatic and successful in forging social relations or networks.
Sounds great doesn't it?
Yet,
Now for the bad news, which concerns what happens when all those nice guys actually get in power. While a little compassion might help us climb the social ladder, once we're at the top we end up morphing into a very different kind of beast.
"It's an incredibly consistent effect," Mr. Keltner says. "When you give people power, they basically start acting like fools. They flirt inappropriately, tease in a hostile fashion, and become totally impulsive." Mr. Keltner compares the feeling of power to brain damage, noting that people with lots of authority tend to behave like neurological patients with a damaged orbito-frontal lobe, a brain area that's crucial for empathy and decision-making. Even the most virtuous people can be undone by the corner office.
Now, as to why this happens you need to read the entire article because it is too much too long for me to quote here.
Besides, don't we already know power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
And for some reason all of this reminds me of a favorite song from my days as a young matron.
Watch to the end and I just can't wait until the tax cuts get rescinded so that more of our tax dollars can go to China, the world's 2nd largest economy.
I just received the new designer collection catalog from Nordstrom and I wanted to ask when did reliable, affordable and yes, slightly boring Nordstrom turn into Bergdorf Goodman? I thought that Nordstorm was where you went to shop for Tahari and Calvin Klein not Proenza Schouler and Balmain. Well anyhoo the new designer catalog is out there and I don't mean in terms of design. Take this Chanel coat, for example
Tweed coat with faux-fur trim, acrylic/cotton $8,555 OK, so add sales tax and you are north of $9,000 for a faux-fur coat and let's not forget the matching bag
Faux-fur clutch with tweed detail, wool/acrylic/calfskin $2,795 Once again, add sales tax and this faux-fur clutch is north of $3,000 Who would pay these prices...no really I want to know....who?
My world is all about intrinsic value not ephemeral fashion meaning I break things down into the cost of the materials, how much did it cost to manufacture, etc. and let's just say that I don't see $9,000 worth of intrinsic value in this coat. Do you?
Was yesterday the best day ever....the sun came out and I think that the summer finally started I went down to Laguna Beach to spend the day with the family and at my mother's house I saw the finally saw the print issue of ELLE magazine the one with the Julia Roberts photos and then surprise of all surprises There was a fashion spread with Kim Kardashian (OMG!!!) and Justin Bieber ( double OMG!!!!!) and Kim was frolicking in the water in Jean Mahie jewelry from you know where here's the video from ELLE.com
Isn't Kim pretty...she has some serious assets. OK...full disclosure here...I basically have no idea who Justin Bieber is but I know that he is very high up on constellation the celebrity hierarchy so I am pleased. And today, it is 6:40 am and the sun is out this morning for the first time in months.
