Month: December 2010

Mad about Mad Men

I love Mad Men. Seriously, I eat each episode like candy, soaking up the fashions, the art direction and, since I currently work in advertising, a little history on the culture and the business. So I got pretty excited when I learned, upon watching the behind the scenes DVD of season 3, about an illustrator named Dyna Moe who is responsible for the images used in the “Mad Men Yourself” feature on the web as well as episode drawings that have become viral hits. She recently put out a book, “Mad Men: The Illustrated World.”  In a reading at the store, Book Soup in W. Hollywood, Dyna talked about the inspiration of her drawings that began with a Christmas card request from Rich Sommer (aka Harry Crane.) She took us on a journey through ’50s and ’60s era advertising illustrations that influenced her own. As a bonus, not one but two actual Mad Men were in the house to read from her book Rich Sommer and Michael Gladis (aka Paul Kinsey.)

Now you just can’t beat that for an evening as cool as a cocktail made by Don Draper!

Cheers,
K.

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Month: December 2010

ReVamping Vintage Fashions

In a hip little penthouse lost downtown is a store and workshop called ReVamp, which makes vintage recreations from the period between 1910-1950.  Owned by the ever-stylish Annamarie von Firley (who can always be spotted in a crowd because of her fashion sense and canary-yellow bob), this retro designer makes clothes for the vintage lover and many TV and film productions from a workshop/store that sits in the penthouse stuite of the historic Platt building, wedged between the Broadway Bar and the Orpheum Theatre. They also host weekend retro hair and makeup workshops to teach you how to get the right look to match your period outfits. Other events include fashion shows for their latest collection that was cute indeed! See their super-cute fashions by clicking the link below:

View the slideshow of fashions

So many clothes, so little time!
K.

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Month: December 2010

Happy Retro Holidays!

‘Tis the season, the holidays have begun, the mad shopping, the cooking and baking, the events. Mine got off to a good start in Magnolia Park for their Holiday Extravaganza. This little strip of shops in Burbank, from Hollywood Way to Buena Vista, has undergone quite a revitalization while still retaining the charm of a ‘50s neighborhood, a time when people strolled along sidewalks and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. Some amazing shops have moved in, including a couple I have among my list of favorites in all of Los Angeles.

On this particular evening, the entire street was shut down for several blocks to make for much merriment, including an enormous flat bed “Caroling Truck” that rolled through the crowd decked out like Santa’s workshop, complete with singing and dancing Santas, and a snow blower.

Of course I couldn’t resist popping into Mindfulnest, a store featuring creations by local artists, many who donate proceeds to various causes. You can’t help but feel like you’re giving something back when you buy a gift for someone here – and trust me, they have something unique for everyone – jewelry, art, scented lotions and potions and unique knick knacks. The store has been so successful since opening in Burbank last year, they recently opened another in Santa Monica.

My next stop was a store that has filled my closet with some of my favorite treasures – Playclothes, a vintage-lover’s dream. Even though it was crazy crowded on this night, I couldn’t help but pick up a leopard-print pillbox hat and yellow-gold 1950’s handbag. Their prices are the best of any vintage store I know of and the quality is top notch. The shopkeepers are always friendly and if you put them to task to find something specific, they won’t stop looking through their massive inventory until they find it. They proved this when they found the perfect hot pink, flutter ruffle wrap dress for me to wear to an upcoming 1970’s-themed disco party.

Check out what these stores have to offer in these quick slideshows:

Mindfulnest

Playclothes

Be sure to check out these shops and all of the upcoming events in the neighborhood on the Magnolia Park website.

Happy shopping!
K.

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