I HEART CITY POP

I was definitely excited to get my copy of Walton Ford’s prints distributed by the one and only TASCHEN. At first, TASCHEN released only 1,600 of these book and they retailed in the thousands of dollars!! Now they have decided to print the book for consumers like me at a very reasonable price. I wanted to share with you and how amazing this book is! To have all his works in one gorgeous book blows my mind. Talk about INSPIRATION for your eyeballs! Walton Ford (born 1960) is an American artist who paints large scale watercolors in the style of Audubon’s naturalist illustrations. Each painting is a meticulous study in flora and is filled with symbols, clues and jokes referencing a multitude of texts from colonial literature and folktales. Like the paintings from the old, his style is majestic and takes the viewer on a sort of  journey into the African safari. One my favorite things to derive my art on is nature and wild animals. And Walton Ford is a great artist to be inspired from. You will never get tired of looking at his prints…it is like candy to the eye. Enjoy!

for more info to order or donate monies please visit: www.missnuma.com

From Numa: “I GLOVE HAITI is a grass roots organization. including myself and my mom. we travel to haiti next week to find family and help in every way we can.”

do it!

Once upon a time..a very long time ago…I use to make A LOT of jewelry. I was cleaning my jewelry bin up and realized that at the bottom of my bin were these beautiful necklaces stored in plastic that I had once made. I don’t quite remember why I stopped making jewelry…but it was a great hobby to have. I still have bins and bins of beautiful stones and gold chain. Its so crazy to think about all the creative things I have done and still love to do. I always find little traces of  my creative work all around…and it always makes me smile. So I think I might sell all my old jewelry on my new esty coming soon! Maybe they will get some use on someone’s beautiful neck rather than in my jewelry bin…

wooooohoooooo!

One of my greatest pleasures at work is to do dream up a window display that is different and fun. I knew I needed to stick to the rule of winter..although I know it is quite hard to imagine right now in Los Angeles. But I wanted to create a winter window display that was not the ordinary fake snow and christmas tree idea. Working with practically no budget at all is always something that challenges me as well. So I had to remember something I had done back in my Design 2 college course. We used recyclable everyday materials to create a piece of art…with spending little money and thinking really big (something I always TRY to live by). I remember I used styrofoam paper cups to create these almost life size porcupine creatures just grazing in the grass on the student lawn. I can still remember looking at the other students faces with awe as they passed by this huge styrofoam porcupine. I really enjoyed that project and that class! I wanted to bring that concept back…so I made a pit stop at the 99cent store and grabbed as many paper plates and coffee filters as I could. I folded in half both the  paper plates and the coffee filters in a bunch and stapled them together  creating a multiple fan like object. After a little staple here and there…I had about 40 of each. I spread them out around the floor and created a snow like design as the bottom of the window display. They were so fluffy and gorgeous…it almost took my breath away! With a few accents here and there…I think I came up with the perfect winter wonderland window display. Enjoy!!

Have a gorgeous and happy holiday! Love and kisses to you……..

This year my boyfriend and I decided to host a housewarming holiday party. We wanted to welcome all our loved ones to our new place and to celebrate one more sweet memory for the year. What a perfect time to get together and celebrate than during the holidays.  So basically we were sortof  double whamming it with two parties in one…both of us running around to get the place together while focusing on a holiday theme. In the end the party was a success! And the best apart about it was that everyone was all together under one roof. It was definitely a night to remember for sure.

Ahhhhhhhh! I am starting to feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I went to see El Perro Del Mar at the Hotel Cafe on a beautiful Monday night. I was not only excited to see her because she rarely passes thru the US but because I have enjoyed her music for quite some time now. Her new album Love Is Not Pop is definitely A+ from beginning to end and is my new favorite thing to listen to. She is also great friends with my other favorite artist Lykke Li and low and behold….Lykke came up on stage with her and did a duet with her of Change of Heart! I literally amost fainted. Wow!!!!! Okay….sooooo….go get the album!! A glass of wine or whatever choice of fun for the night, play her on your Itunes and you have a recipe for a night to remember! Cheers!

I had the opportunity to meet Angelina when I was curating an art show in the beginning of the year. I was looking for female artists who specialized in female based themes. Angelina caught my eye with her oh so adorable yet funny ink drawings. It blew my mind that she is still undiscovered and not making a FORTUNE out of her illustrations!! And that is exactly how I feel about her..she is like a diamond in the rough. I still have yet to purchase her drawings but I want all of them to frame and hang in my lovely little home. And not only is she super talented she is also super nice.  Angelina is a perfect example of someone that inspires me to continue on my journey of art. She definitely has something that the whole world needs to see….hmmmmm…….maybe just like me.

Amy Sol’s Wilderness Buffet was a fantastic treat for the eyes. Her new works are currently being exhibited at the Copro Gallery in the Bergamont Station, Santa Monica.  I was able to attend the opening night which Amy shared with another one my favorite artists, Stella Hultberg. Ofcourse, I was not only mesmerized by the beautiful pieces…I went home feeling rejuvenized to pump out some new works of my own. I, often, get insanely inspired by young women artists who display the same aesthetics in their works that I feel I possess. It is so motivating to go see their shows and walk away feeling like you are, also, on the right track.  And even though life and it’s time constraints sometimes takes me away from the artistic world, I just need a little reminder and a small dose of inspiration. So I suggest, if you are an inspiring female artist…go to this show. Amy and Stella embody what is beautiful about the female in the most dream-like way. You will see the importance of nature, love, friendship and life in their paintings…and walk away feeling pretty inspired while your at it.

Nothing in this world makes me more excited than vintage gold jewelry. I love knowing that a certain necklace or bracelet once graced someone else’s neck or wrist. That might creep some people out but I love thinking about it and for me, it makes the piece so much more special. I have a pretty awesome collection of gold jewelry..thanks to my diligent efforts of scouring all sorts of flea markets and vintage stores in Los Angeles. And I must add, I would definitely have more if my younger sister didn’t borrow and never return half of it. Lol. Either way, the hunt is always the fun part of it all. The great thing is that when you get the piece of jewelry home and it dresses up your blah outfit…that is when you realize you scored. You don’t have to  spend a fortune to have an amazing jewelry collection and the secret is to be fearless. Go after the most gaudy piece…gold jewelry need to be bold! Don’t be afraid to make a statement! Let your vintage piece make a statement…it might say something from the past that no one has ever heard…and that, my friends, would be most beautiful thing ever.
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michele and I with yukimi nagano of Little Dragon…so lucky!!!

Have you ever loved something so much that you felt so overwhelmed with all types of emotions..that you felt like you could burst? Well, I have….and it happens pretty much every time I listen to Yukimi Nagano’s voice of Little Dragon. I have been a big fan of this band every since I have discovered them in 2007 with the most beautiful ballad of all time..”Twice.” I remember first hearing her haunting voice that literally ripped through my soul word by word. I could not believe how one song..a very short song even…could muster up so much emotion. Yukimi sings the emotions of pain and the absence portrayed in the song as if she lives with that everyday. Ofcourse, she really doesn’t because the newly released album, Machine Dreams, is jammed with upbeat ” make you wanna get up and dance” songs like Blinking Pigs and My Step…which are some of my favorite off the album. I had the opportunity to go see them perform live in Costa Mesa on Friday. Made the drive up there to see them up close and personal at the The Detroit Bar…instead of the overcrowded El Rey here in Los Angeles. I will most likely still go to that..but I needed to see them in a smaller venue first. Let’s jusy say, it was well worth it. The show was beyond amazing and the she is a true STAR. I am beyond obsessed at this point. You will understand…just go cop the album…its out now and it will be the best $9.99 you wil ever spend in your life.

Every Sunday that I have available, I go to my favorite place on the planet…besides my bed, my parent’s house, and that little Korean restaurant on Sawtelle…the FLEA MARKET on Melrose/ Fairfax. Although this Sunday, the sun was blazing down and killing me softly..I always enjoy finding those little hidden treasures that are calling your name. I cannot explain it! I really feel like there are things there that are literally calling my name and saying…”I have travelled my whole existence so you could find me.” Some of my cherished things are from the flea market and I always wonder…what if I had not gone that day?  I would of missed having this beautiful treasure in my life. So, every chance I get to visit the flea market..I do. This Sunday I scored on some beautiful jewelry and belts to add to my collection. You can’t have enough shiny bangles and belts! I also scored on a faux fur coat. I know it is extremely hot but I am already thinking ahead. And I could not have passed it up..for $40! The Melrose/Fairfax Flea Market is located on the corner of those streets and runs from 8am to around 5pm. Go visit this upcoming Sunday because I know there is something that is definitely calling YOUR name! xo!

Burger Bar on 7661 Melrose Ave. Happy Hour from 4-7 weeknights. Do it!

Burger Menu:

The  80z:  

house blend, iceberg, pickle, tomato, white onion, 80z. special sauce……………$10

Melrose: 

house blend, wild baby arugula, garlic roasted tomatoes, red onion marmalade…………….$8

Estancia Grass Fed Beef: 

heirloom tomato, ketchup, onion, pickle, charred escarole, roasted mushroom……………$9

Veggie: 

wild baby arugula, sunflower sprouts, tomato, onion, pickle, avocado………….$8

Grilled Marinated Artichoke: 

 herbed aoili……………..$8

Yum..yum…yum…yum…yum!!! This dinner can’t be anymore romantic for two people. Especially, if it is made by the boy you love the most on the planet. Although, crab sometimes can seem like a hard thing to prepare it actually is not. It is really easy and super quick! Add a little garden salad to the side and viola!…you have the simpliest, most romantic dinner for two! Bon apetite!

Directions for Crab: 

Boil big pot of water. Add crab. Boil crab until shell looks bright reddish orange. Take out and let crab cool down before plating.

Melt butter in small saucepan…serve butter in small dishes for dipping.

Don’t forget your shell crackers and plenty of napkins!

Directions for Garden Salad:

Chop lettuce, cucumber and tomato and toss in large bowl, along with some feta cheese.

In another bowl, wisk a cup of olive oil, and 3/4 cups of balsamic vinegar, along with a teaspoon of dijon mustard.

Plate salad in a small bowl and drizzle with dressing.

It’s always nice to have connections somewhere in your life. It could be the making or the breaking of a situation. I, personally, take my connections VERY seriously. As in the case of beauty products…I know where to go to get the best product and I know someone who can tell me why it’s the best product. My girl, Shawanna, always hooks me up with the hottest product and damnit…I love her for it! This month, she suggested that I try these products and low and behold….she was right…again!!! So..I share with you….my knowledge:

Mixed Chicks…(the name pretty much says it all)……Shampoo ($14) and Conditioner ($15)…..for those of us who are biracial and need a damn good product so you can love your curls…this one is it!

Lili Nailpolish in Classic Beige ($8)……….perfect for the fall…and literally makes your hands look like a million bucks!

Goe Oil ($28)……….for your hands, hair, & body….use it to give your honey a massage they’ll never forget!

All these products are under $30..completely worth it and can all be found at Wilshire Beauty Supply……….5401 Wilshire Boulevard….323.937.2001.

Thanks Wanna!!! xoxo!

lykke li illustration and watercolor by stephanie lampkin

It’s no secret how much I love Lykke Li. She inspires a lot of what gets me motivated. Her music is phenomenal and I just love the fact that she is a tad bit different in her own special way. In homage to her, I decided to do an illustration of one of my favorite pictures of her. This was actual one of about five artists that I am currently working on.  I wanted to share this one with you because these illustrations are truly something special as well.

I hope you enjoy it…and I will be posting more as we go and as I can finish some them one by one. I must say, that this piece is one that I the most proud of. Maybe , it’s my favorite because she makes so it perfect! xo! Visit more of my illustrations at www.stephanielampkin.com.