The long Thanksgiving weekend was the perfect time for a little getaway from the city. Lately I’ve found myself drawn to quiet, outdoorsy open spaces away from the crowds and traffic of LA. We took a trek up into the California Mountains to go exploring and found ourselves in the Frazier Park/ Pine Mountain area.
Life moves at a slower pace there and feels much more in touch with nature – after all, your neighbors are bears and mountain lions so you have to learn to live on their turf. We booked a room at the Old Bear Bed & Breakfast, run by the delightful couple Maxine and David, both artists (David, a voiceover actor and Maxine a painter), who offer a quaint country house filled with charm and two sweet dogs. Our stay consisted of soul-nourishing hikes through the woods (no stilettos here!) and an arts and crafts fair, where I bought one of Maxine’s paintings as a souvenir and reminder of this tranquil little oasis. See the photos below.
I must say the trip has me eager to explore more scenic outdoor spots in my home state — and maybe pick up a good pair of hiking boots! Stay tuned!
And now back to my regularly scheduled city life,
Kastle
I recently came back from a trip to Eastern Europe, and on those lonnnnnnng flights across the ocean, not only is it helpful to bring a carry-on bag full of entertainment, but it’s also nice when the flight attendants are pleasant.
We got lucky on our flights both ways – from the impossibly gorgeous, Dutch blue-eyed blondes on KLM Airlines to the well-groomed, pop star-looking Frenchman on Air France. But none were quite as fun as my favorite air hostess, Pam Ann.
Risqué, hilarious and full of va-va-voom, Pam Ann, is alter ego of Australian comedian/writer/producer Caroline Reid. Her look is an exaggerated spin on the ‘60s-era Pan Am Airlines flight attendants, but her outrageousness pushes the boundaries even for today. She’s been hired for Elton John’s private jet and has toured with Cher, as well as performing on stage and on television. You can read all about her on her website, catch her on tour (hope she comes to LA!) and purchase her DVDs, or enjoy good some laughs from her many YouTube videos such as these:
Thanks for flying with us!
Kastle
Photo from Westend.broadwayworld.com via Pinterest
“Whoever you vote for, make sure it’s the right one.”
John Lydon had the election on his mind at last week’s PiL show at LA’s Club Nokia. Wearing a black and white color block shirt, neon orange suspenders, graphic art shoes with striped socks, and his tangerine-blond hair at spiked attention, Lydon led PiL, his post-Sex Pistols band of the last 30 years, through a 2-hour set, while still bringing a little bit of Johnny Rotten many came to see.
It’s the start or November, or I should say MOvember – a month-long effort to raise awareness of men’s health issues, when men grow their facial hair and raise funds to help battle deadly diseases such as prostate and testicular cancer.
I must say, this is soooo important! My father battled prostate cancer TWICE and thanks to the advances in treatment, he’s still here and thriving.
Now I can’t grow a mustache but in case you haven’t noticed, there is certainly a mustache fashion trend going on. The mustache has appeared on necklaces, t-shirts, nail art, hanging from sunglasses and more in the past year. I think part of the trend came from women wanting to participate in Movembers of years past and had to find a way to do it. Then like the smiley face in the ’70s, someone decided it was pretty cute and started putting it on everything, like these fun items from Claire’s! So now I can join in the cause of Movember with a donation and little accessorizing!
Mo’ for it!
Kastle
* Items featured in this blog were purchased by the author
With Halloween falling on a Wednesday this year, the partying began over the weekend. I got my masquerade on Friday night, dressing as a little devil for “Halloween Ladies Night Out” in Magnolia Park Burbank. The monthly shopping event got spooky with shop staff dressing in costume, serving up discounts and treats.
I met up with “Nurse Fabby” at the Pin Up Girl Clothing Boutique, where those ladies make dressing up a lifestyle. And they didn’t disappoint. PUG’s ever-gorgeous Micheline Pitt (who it’s impossible to take a bad picture of) was stunning as villainess Poison Ivy (see below). Other amazing costumes of the night included Breakfast at Tiffany’s Audrey Hepburn, who later won the costume contest at Audrey K. down the street. See the slideshow by clicking on the photo below:
Saturday night I was out at a party thrown by Nathan and Nicole who I know through Nicole’s stunning photography work: Paper Moon Vintage Photography. Nathan’s amazing craftsman-style house in Highland Park was decorated to thrill, looking like a movie set for a classic horror flick and the various invited goblins who turned up fit right in. I went as a Goddess and my boyfriend as the Plague Doctor (see below.) See the slideshow by clicking on the photo below:
When I was at Tiki Oasis, I picked up a postcard for a YouTube show called The Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en. I loved the name and the look of the card so I decided to check it out. What I found were little campy clips basically showing how a good cocktail and retro party dish (think Spam and Jello) can help make any of life’s mundane tasks a bit more festive – after all, we gotta clean the house, do taxes, entertain unexpected guests and so on. I loved the clips so much I watched every single one of them and they made me laugh out loud more times than I could count – and I learned some great drink recipes along the way! I especially love the host’s ‘60s-era outfits and the ever-changing memorabilia in the backdrop. Check out the latest on how to survive election season:
The Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en was created by actress/writer Kelly Camille Patterson and video producer Paul Spencer. So sit back and enjoy their most recent video and more on their YouTube Channel HERE.
As Brian Setzer wailed, “Rock This Town,” fireworks shot out over the arena in a celebratory display of rock ‘n’ roll revelry. Playing three nights at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, backed by a 96 piece orchestra, the simple yet beloved rockabilly song, originally written for three piece band The Stray Cats, never sounded so good. Setzer was all smiles as he let his guitar rip across the hills of Tinsel Town and through a collection of songs from his days with the Cats to his own rockin’ big band, The Brian Setzer Orchestra. Read the full review in my report on Yahoo!
I’m hereby declaring it officially “Tiki Season!” With the annual blow-out Tiki Oasis in San Diego just around the corner, the Egyptian Theatre kicked things off with “Tiki Night” featuring a Luau Dinner, venders, the Polynesian Paradise Dancers, a performance by King Kukulele and the Friki Tiki’s (featuring guest appearances by Crazy Al and Judd Finkelstein) and the Premiere Screening of “The DVD of Tiki Volume 1: Paradise Lost”
I got to hang with my pal DJ Lee Joseph and we stopped in for a pre-screening cocktail in the adjacent bar with some of the film’s luminaries including Shag and Bamboo Ben – a fruity rum based drink was a must for my Tiki mood, and then we took our seats in the theatre to enjoy an extensive exploration into Tiki Culture by Director Jochen Hirschfeld who held is own during an offbeat Q&A with King Kukulele before and after the film.
Kastle with DJ Lee Joseph
King Kukulele and the Friki Tiki’s
The film chronicles the origins of Tiki to the birth of the Polynesian Pop movement that centered around the romantic idea of Tiki as an escape from squares-ville conformity of the ‘50s and ‘60s. I especially enjoyed the research on the origins of the cocktails and the sounds of Tiki from exotica music (think Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman), to “hapa howlie” and ukelele sounds. Anyone into Tiki Culture would benefit from this quick crash course that pays tribute as to why we are so in love with this idea of an island paradise. The evidence was in the audible gasps when the film showed of some of the greatest Tiki bars closing and being steamrolled into history. Be sure to pick up a copy of the DVD when it goes on sale and catch the screening of it at Tiki Oasis.
Director Jochen Hirschfeld
To further get you in the mood for Tiki Oasis coming up August 16-19, check out my three-part series on Tiki Culture featuring:
Tiki Oasis with an interview with Otto Von Stroheim
This year’s theme is Spy Tiki: Exotic Espionage and Polynesian Pulp,” featuring The Untouchables performing on Saturday night. (I can’t wait!) Here they are doing “(I Spy for the) F.B.I.”
Those who know me know that I am a HUGE animal lover. I spoil my cat/ Stiletto City mascot, Lil’ Queenie with toys, treats and many cozy beds to lounge in — she totally deserves it! I had to do a double-take when I saw Poison lead singer Bret Michaels on a TV commercial for PetSmart talking about “pets that rock your world” and a collection that combines pet supplies and rock ‘n’ roll.
Michaels teamed up with PetSmart to create a collection of rockin’ pet accessories for dogs, including a vinyl cowboy boot chew toy, bow ties, skull/ guitar print beds and Bret-style bandana do rags (your pet really has to be a good sport for those!). even a plush guitar they can wear or carry depending on the size of the dog (just long enough for a laugh and a photo before they tear it shreds I’m sure.)
My favorite are the outfits – rocker hoodies, even a rock t-shirt and pleather skirt outfit. I have a neighbor who dresses up her mini-dog for her walks – I can just see her snatching these up!
My only question – where’s the Cats Rock collection? My Lil’ Queenie would like a few rockin’ mouse toys, a studded collar and flamed food bowl! Can you really say no to this face?
In continuing my “Rock of Ages” celebration, I had to write a review now that I saw the movie over the weekend.
The film is fun. I know the critic’s reviews have been mixed. I think you have to have a rocker spirit for this – have either been on the Sunset Strip at the time or wish you were. I’ll admit the opening scenes of the movie are a little too musical-cheesy and had me worried, but it definitely hit its stride and rose to the occasion to rock. So on with the review:
Tom Cruise – I’ve never been fan. I always thought of him as too mannequin-esque, no edge. But man, he did his homework on this, he truly embodied it. I loved the bravado, the moves, the sex, the well-timed comedic moments, and those scenes where a mere hand gesture carried so much attitude. Mr. Cruise you won me on this one.
Buff boys – most of the guys back in the day were rail thin, pre-middle age spread and many were drug addicts. Few were as fit as our leads in the movie. (I can only think of Bret Michaels and Glenn Danzig as looking like they hit the gym.) It’s hard to believe Cruise is age 50 playing Stacee Jaxx. Most 20-year-olds don’t look that good. Dang!
The songs – great to hear some of the big hits of the time from Def Leppard, Poison, Warrant, Twisted Sister and GNR but some of the soundtrack was a little too early ’80s – I could have used less Pat Benatar and Jefferson Starship and more Aerosmith and Motley Crue, which were bands who helped inspire that time. I also would have liked to have seen some punk and death rock in there since those scenes were still happening a bit. I did think the mashups were brilliant however! Read more about the bands from the Strip that I was listening to at the time: http://yhoo.it/KAv4lN
Russell Brand – IS a rock star, he lives it and makes me laugh so hard every time he’s on screen. The scenes with him and Alec Baldwin had me literally buckled over! I would party with him ANY time!
Julianne Hough – OK, her singing was ultra auto-tuned (especially compared to Mary J. Blige who can bust it out!) but she was totally believable as that farm fresh girl off the bus (hello, that scene is completely taken from the Gun N’ Roses video for “Welcome to the Jungle”.) So fun seeing her look go from sweet to big hair and big boobs. I was expecting to see her to show off her well-known moves in a big dance scene in the strip club but we only got a mere swing around the pole. I loved the shots of her up in the hills overlooking the city lights and dreaming. I did that when I moved from Texas to LA – classic!
Art direction – an A+! Perfection on the little touches such as the Michael Monroe and Jetboy (great band of that scene by the way) posters, the hairspray and bathroom hand dryer (yes, I did that) and Stacee Jaxx rolling up on a Harley (which every band member had back then, pre-helmet law.)
The rock article interview – as a budding reporter at that time, boy did I have those difficult interview moments. It’s not all glamorous! I guess I will have a write a book now!
The end – while I get that soundtracks are subject to obtaining the rights to the songs and many are here because the song lyrics fit the story and everyone can sing along, Journey was way over by the time the Strip was rocking. The ending should hinted at the grunge movement, which began to form in ’87 and rose to KILL the Hollywood rock scene in the early ‘90s.
Overall, “Rock of Ages” really rocked! Just the right amount of comic humor, camp, musical cheese, spot-on styling and a fantastic tribute to a wild and ruckus time. I would totally go see it again.
The long Thanksgiving weekend was the perfect time for a little getaway from the city. Lately I’ve found myself drawn to quiet, outdoorsy open spaces away from the crowds and traffic of LA. We took a trek up into the California Mountains to go exploring and found ourselves in the Frazier Park/ Pine Mountain area.
