Tony Duquette-Inspired Nail Art

 Iconic artist, designer, and LA native Tony Duquette lived "to inspire the individuality and creativity in others". Well, twelve years after his death his philosophy lives on ... in my manicure!

If you are a subscriber to American Bazaar you may remember him from this issue several years ago... There is no way, if introduced, you could ever forget his work! He believed in "beauty, not luxury" and created a fantasy world from simple found objects, or discarded "junk". Back in the 30's and 40's that was unheard of! Mr. Duquette was to my mind the ultimate collector. To get a sense of his feel for interiors take a tour of his Beverly Hills home "Dawnridge", below. 

Tony was discovered by style arbiter and pioneering interior designer Elsie de Wolfe. With Elsie's endorsement he went on to design for the Hollywood elite... He also designed sets and costumes for Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios, designed public spaces like nightclubs and theaters, private jewelry collections and was the first American to have a solo exhibition at The Louvre. One of his final projects was designing jewelry for Guicci under the direction of Tom Ford.

 (images courtesy of tony duquette)

 A couple examples of his jewelry: top, Peridot and coral brooch; bottom, coral black drusy, pearl and sharks tooth.

Tony upholstered ceilings in bed quilts, draped beds with high and low fabrics like blue denim and eighteenth century tapestries and mexican rugs, converted antique English Regency sideboards into sinks, and covered walls in abalone shells! Again, I remind you this was unprecedented in the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's! 

The beauty of this manicure would not be possible without it's foundation - Peridot by Chanel

See how inspiration can be revealed even in the tiniest forms of expression! Hope you enjoyed learning about another great believer of the "more is more" movement!

Do The Drip - DIY

I don't always enjoy drips... Men who are drips, faucets that drip, my nose when it drips - I can do without! But when I spotted this cuff by Delfina Delettrez for Opening Ceremony I knew it would never be mine.

(photo courtesy of style.com)

It's $1,655.

So I found a way to curb my insatiable desire by layering drips of metallic acrylic paint over a vintage metallic clutch. If you're pleased with my results you too can do it with just a few easy steps!

You'll need:

- this paint in Pure Silver (although I think an assortment of metallics would be really pretty too)

- and this paint if you want to capture the neon just like Delfina

- a white craft paint or primer if you are going the neon route (not necessary - just speeds up the process)

- a small paintbrush (number 6 is good)

- a clutch (doesn't have to be vintage, doesn't have to be metallic, just so long as the drips stand out)

**note - the Palmer paint was selected for it's viscosity, I tested a number of brands and this one dripped perfectly straight from the tube**

Step One:

- Liberally drip the silver paint by squeezing the tube placed directly above the top of the bag. Allow the paint to drip in different lengths. Dry first layer and repeat.

Step Two:

 - Once you are satisfied with the drippy silver foundation you may paint a base of white which helps to really 'pop' the neon color topcoat. This step will also designate which drips you plan to highlight without committing to color. Of course, you can stop at step one, or order the range of metallic colors and drip different shades... you are the artist - it's all up to you!

Step Three:

- Fill in the designated drips with neon paint et voila! Make sure the bag dries 100% before you carry it!

I pride myself on not getting trapped into the same look day after day...

 Dress H & M; shoes Jeffrey Cambell; spiked cuffs Kenneth Jay Lane; leather cuffs Coach

 Bag Style Dilettante!

Happy Dripping!!

Sunday Morning Melrose Ave - Bargains and Brunch (Red O)

After a few hours of scouring the Melrose Trading Post (see yesterday's post) we certainly worked up an appetite. LA is known for it's Mexican cuisine but Red O Restaurant is not typical of most Mexican restaurants. The long favorites I frequent share common design elements - dim lights and red leather banquets. That's all well and fine but I prefer the sensation I feel upon entering the massive wooden doors of Red O - that I am instantly transported to a fabulous resort in Cancun! I don't even think I felt this happy when I was actually IN a fabulous resort in Cancun! Of course, my happiness could have also been attributed to the incredible Roasted Tomato Bloody Mary pictured below!!! Not even Bottega Louis' Bloody can touch this one. Until yesterday I'd only experienced Red O for dinner but brunch is their latest incarnation and rightfully so - the color pallet is equally lovely in the light of day as it is in candlelight. Not to mention the service was incredibly welcoming and gracious. Red O has been around for a little over a year but knowing how fickle Angelenos are I am hoping to inspire you to make a trip to "Cancun" so that it will become one of the few fixtures of LA dining!

Bloody Mary with citron vodka, roasted red and yellow tomatoes, roasted garlic, white onions, thyme, smoked chipotle tobasco, celery salt, fresh grated horseradish and worcestershire sauce!

 Guacamole, chips & salsas

Hot Cakes Indigenas with Iroquois White Corn Pancakes, whipped goat cheese, organic agave syrup, red chile-glazed Neuske's applewood-smoked bacon, and two eggs sunny side up - only a "Top Chef Master" could create a masterpiece like this!

Huevos Rancheros Verde with homemade fresh cheese, black beans, fresh baked corn tortillas and watercress (Erica only eats scrambled - never sunny!)

The most heavenly breeze blew through the dining atrium - I could have sworn it was blowing off the ocean instead of Melrose traffic!

 Sexy seating options in the bar

 Stroll down the "Tequila Tunnel" en route to...

... where else? The Tequila Lounge!

The only red I could find in the whole joint (not including my drink) - a woven chair from Janus et Cie 

This one looked less precarious

(Especially after that bloody drink!)

Sunday Morning Melrose Ave - Bargains and Brunch (Melrose Trading Post)

You may be familiar with my posts about the Rose Bowl Flea Market but the Melrose Trading Post is another favorite flea of mine... For one, it is only two dollars entrance fee, it is weekly (every Sunday), and it is not as overwhelmingly huge! The vendors, as you are about to see, have a great aesthetic with compelling booths... and I think they are more flexible during the most thrilling part of the experience - the bargaining! I don't think I've ever spent so little and bought so much! So skilled were my negotiations there was room left in the budget for a quick trip to Jonathan Adler!!

Erika's gorgeous new belt - $15!!

As I mentioned, there was room in the budget for a small purchase at Jonathan Adler. I just had to have Erica photograph me in the shop - my vintage carousel skirt was as at home as I was perched atop this oversize white leather poof!!

I hoped to check out the Los Feliz Festival next but alas, my back injury put a halt to my plans - glad I had the opportunity to do this impromptu posting instead!

Stay tuned for part two - what we ate!!

What have you been up to this weekend dear readers/followers??

A Bountiful Kick Off To The Weekend - Silver Lake Farmer's Market

I just find such inspiration at the farmer's markets it's difficult not to post incessantly about them! It is such a privilege to live in Southern California with all this access to wonderful, locally grown food... My Aunt who lives in the Northern reaches of Canada has complained of being forced to "pick through the compost heap" at her local super market. Don't feel too badly for her though - she also has the extreme good fortune of picking wild blueberries in her back yard (and she LOVES to taunt by telling me all about the jams and treats she makes with them!) 

Another great thing about the farmer's markets is the foodie vendors! I discovered a new one today - his name is George. He's from Greece and boy does he have a spectacular assortment of dips to choose from - next time I will (I just had to run to the fridge to dip a couple pita chips) let you know the name of his booth. He's not too tough to locate though - he will charm you and lure you with generous samples until garlic is seeping from your pores!

Tony, one of my favorite foodie vendors, of Cristina from Spain was kind enough to shoot me. (TopShop cardi, Mixie dress, vintage belt)

... You know I often become distracted by good style... Even with arms full I managed to snap a few pics! (Can you tell she's anxious to move on?)

 My bounty

... Completely addicted to this juice! It's called "Alkalizer Tonic" and made with raw cane juice, lime juice, and chlorophyll. Healthy AND delicious (just ran to the fridge for a swig!)...

Last week I bought yellow Marigolds, but this week I love the pop of orange - particularly with the portrait of Yves Saint Laurent I painted in high school in the background. 

During the summer months I like to keep "spa water" in the fridge. So easy and refreshing - this is my favorite combo: cucumber, mint, lime.

The perfect farmer's market lunch! Mixed greens with marigold petals (it was sold this way - see above if you are doubtful - yes, I eat flowers!!), Darren the Chef's gorgonzola and red grape hand pie, Cristina from Spain's Serrano Ham. You never dine alone when accompanied by your Harper's Bazaar and BlackBerry!

As always - I try to end on a sweet note! This peach was incredibly sweet and juicy and cooled my pallet perfectly after intermittent tastes of George's hot feta dip! 

How did you kick off the weekend?