MLK

"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness." - Martin Luther King

Year of the Rabbit

The start of a new year means extended hours and seasonal help for the Japan Post. 

Thousands of postcards, or nengajō, are sent to friends and family with warm New Years greetings, 

much like the American Christmas cards. 

Below are two vintage postcards (circa 1950) depicting the year of the rabbit.

Vid of the Day - Un sospiro

Happy 2011, everyone! 

I hope your holidays were full of friends, family, and fabulous food. Resolutions have been on my mind, as per usual for this time of year. I've concluded that instead of making mundane, false promises to exercise more, eat less, ect., I'm going to learn Liszt's Un sospiro on the piano. It's a lofty ambition for my small, under-practiced hands, but definitely worth the effort. This piece takes my breath away. Enjoy the video! This man makes it look so easy.

Polaroid Update - LA

Eat Like A Pro

Sushi was included in the array of delicious Thanksgiving dishes at my family's celebration.

Just in case you were wondering...

Autumn Eats

I know I've mentioned before how much I love the comforting flavors of Fall. Here's a collection of seasonal treats that you can't miss. Click the links below for the recipes. I can't wait for Thanksgiving!

1. Baked Acorn Squash With Brown Sugar

2. Pumpkin Ginger Pancakes with Ginger Butter

3. Nutella Bomboloni (doughnut holes) with Hazelnut Sugar

4. Spiced Marmalade from Jamie Oliver

5. Spiced Pear Bread

Photo of the Day - Nicholson & Penn

Avert your eyes, little ones. Smoking is bad. This picture, however, is the definition of cool. It could very well undo all of the noble work the anti-smoking campaigns put forth. If only they could make non-smoking look this incredible. Jack Nicholson and Sean Penn could rule the world together. By the way, Nicholson is seventy-three years old.

Credit goes to this humbling blog, whose photos will make you realize just how uncool you really are. By the way, who took this photo? When? Where? I couldn't get my hands on the details. Please enlighten me if you know!

I've been dying (ok, I'm exaggerating) to go to a Laker game to catch a glimpse of Jack  in the flesh. It would definitely be worth spending money on a sporting event that I have little to no interest in. At least I could seek refuge at the concession stand, right? Who doesn't like a sporting event hot dog?

Happy Sunday!

Lanvin + H&M

H&M introduces yet another designer collaboration!
The collection, designed by Lanvin's very own Alber Elbaz, hits H&M stores tomorrow. Lines are expected to be brutal.
I hope this doesn't mean extra traffic for those of us who are lucky enough to work on Saturdays!
Check out the very "holiday party appropriate" collection to see for yourself it it's worth fighting the mobs.    

Photo cred.

Piano Men

Why don't I ever look this cool while playing the piano?
Clockwise: Monk, Waits, Monk, Depp, Wainwright, Gaye, Brody

My Two Idols

A fashion illustration of Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky by artist Naomi Law.

I can't get enough of these two.

In other news, Marc and I got the keys to our new Los Angeles apartment! We're in the midst of a packing frenzy, but I can never stay away from the blogosphere for long.

Our internet will be spotty for the upcoming weeks, so excuse the infrequent posts!