panda head

the pomegranate.

2012-02-07T10:40:00.000Z

nature's little weirdo.

NO NEWS...

2012-02-06T17:55:00.007Z

painting by robbie ulsh.

...IS GOOD NEWS: the Panda Head newsletter begins in March!
CLICK HERE to sign up, please and thank you!

competish.

2012-02-06T13:14:00.001Z

LOOKS LIKE A WINNER.

The Home Brewers Match Ups at Meridian Pint (free admission for offerings from 25 local brewers, and a ballot to vote for your FAVE) - are a guaranteed GOOD TIME. As quality control officer numero uno for the homebrewing operation based out of my kitchen, I can say with certainty that Mitchell's entry for tomorrow night's competition is WORTHY. Come out! Say Hi! VOTE WEST!

lethargy.

2012-02-06T10:55:00.004Z

With the exception of yesterday's Super Bowl parties (one at my sister's house, where the above bowl of fried chicken was unceremoniously CRUSHED; the other at our friends' (they are also our neighbors; there is great value in a Sunday-evening commute taking less time than one THE VOICE commercial break), the entire weekend was spent in an odd turtleneck/sweatpants combination, reading magazines, and generally avoiding housework. I DID succeed in watching Popeye start to finish, which - while a weird little gem of a movie - in writing, seems like far less of an accomplishment than I previously thought. Atoning by forcing myself in the direction of the Smithsonian; a laundry pile-takedown; SOPHISTICATED wardrobe choices.

flickr friday.

2012-02-03T10:35:00.004Z

from the panda head flickr vaults.
Summer 2009 some friends and I set up camp in a Columbia Heights dining room and made our own 15' x 6' cardboard version of ANCIENT EGYPT. Its intended purpose was as a backdrop for a NRCOF show, but at its best it was a two-week-long FUN/FRIEND/ART PROJECT that we'd all stay up too late working on, alternating painting with discussions of structural issues (read: standing in front of the fan; drinking beer).

FAT GUY PIZZA PARTY.

2012-02-02T14:50:00.001Z

Three weeks, two project previews, and eighteen hundred frames later: FAT GUY PIZZA PARTY. Song by John Powers, fat guys by Trae Lamond. Enjoy!

i got an F.

2012-02-02T10:55:00.010Z

In seventh grade my teacher assigned our class the following: bring in a tape or CD of your favorite song, and give a presentation about why it you chose it. SERIOUSLY? ONE favorite song? To be recorded onto my PERMANENT RECORD? This was real life, and when my name was called I was ready: two CDs in hand I walked to the front of the classroom and played - loudly, in succession, and totaling 14:27 - both "Nothing Else Matters" and the theme song from Jurassic Park. Ultimately I'd decided that there WAS no deciding, and as the John Williams score faded out, I explained that there was simply no way to choose between the two most beautiful songs in the universe.
The next girl played Spin Doctors. This was also an excellent choice.

my sweet lord.

2012-02-01T12:11:00.001Z

Success is trying a new outerwear combination, looking in the mirror, and mistaking yourself for George Harrison. THAT is SUCCESS.

vans.

2012-02-01T10:11:00.000Z

tenemos wings.

2012-01-31T14:18:00.000Z

Sunday's party, beyond the kitchen. All photos by Floyd York, food by various friends, precious baby-child by my sister and her husband, and THOSE COOKIES from the Alexandria Pastry Shop.

PRE-PRE-PRE-SUPER BOWL.

2012-01-31T10:35:00.004Z

Travis Jackson's Windian Records puts out garage, punk, and ROCK N ROLL from DC and beyond (by the way - the annual Windian Pow-Wow Party is April 6 + 7; MARK YR CALENDARS). Beyond the realm of 7-12" records, Travis is a die-hard Bills fan and BUFFALO WING AFFICIONADO. In anticipation of this weekend's sports SPECTACULAR, Travis (and photographer Floyd York) (and a bunch of our friends) came over this past weekend to pre-pre-pre-Super Bowl party on his favorite, CLASSIC Wings recipe. TAKE IT, TRAVIS:

The Buffalo Wing has been a tradition in my family since the early 90s - the Buffalo Bills were playing pretty well and making the playoffs year after year, so we celebrated the post-season with family parties. Main dish: BUFFALO WINGS. It wasn't til the Bills made the Super Bowl[TM] 4 years straight - with national press coming to Buffalo and giving their food a lot of exposure - that the wings caught on. Now it's not a Super Bowl[TM] party without them.
The best part about making wings is how simple it is. I stick to the basic Anchor Bar version. The Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY invented this chicken wing variation in the mid-80s. It's when people try to modify with flour, vinegar, or baking the wings (and claiming to be the original) that you get rather bland, impostor Buffalo Wings. A Google search for "Buffalo Wing Sauce" will bring you recipes from the top websites, but they're poor, wrong recipes. Everyone has a flavor, but the undisputed best way to make a Buffalo Wing Sauce is just good old butter, and Frank's Red Hot. You cannot go wrong, and it's a crowd-pleaser.

INGREDIENTS: 24 WHOLE CHICKEN WINGS (CUT INTO 2), 6 TBSP UNSALTED BUTTER, 1 CUP FRANK'S RED HOT, 1 TBSP SALT, 1 GALLON VEGETABLE OIL, 1 BUNCH CELERY, COLD BEER!

1. Cut whole chicken wings in two, at the center of the joints, through the cartilage. You'll come away with the "FLAT," "DRUM," and "TIP." Avoid cutting through bone. Discard the wing tip, and lay out pieces on a cooking sheet.
2. Pour oil in a rather large stock pot (this helps keep from spilling and splatter of oil), and heat to 380degrees.
3. Take 12-16 wings and place them in the pot - do not crowd. This takes about 9-12 minutes, but you can eye them. When they start to float, they're done. I usually keep them in about two minutes longer to get them a little crispy on the outside.
4. While the wings are frying, drop the butter and Frank's Red Hot into in a small saucepan. Heat to melt and dash with salt.
5. Cut celery into thin strips, about 4 inches long. With some Blue Cheese dip, this is a great pairing to cool the heat a bit.
6. Remove the wings from the pot, place in a large METAL bowl, and add sauce. You won't need all the sauce - just eye it - and save the rest for the next batch or as a side dip for the hardcore heat fans.
7. Toss the wings until they're all coated, and place on a tray for immediate serving.
8. Repeat with the next batch, just make sure the oil reheats to 380.

For a Blue Cheese dip, I usually buy a nice dip from the market, like T.Marzetti Chunky Blue Cheese, but it's also really easy to make your own! Snag some quality Blue Cheese and crumble into pieces. Mix 1 cup Blue Cheese, 1 cup mayonnaise, and 1 cup Sour Cream in a medium bowl. Add garlic salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle with 2 TBSP parsley. Cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.

When everything's ready to eat, grab an ice cold beer (preferably LaBatt Blue) and plenty of napkins.

succulents.

2012-01-30T14:40:00.002Z

check the toothpick "needles" - SO ANTHRO!
All varieties of SUCCULENT - real, handmade, EDIBLE - abounded at the Anthropologie: Old Town opening on Thursday night. The store is gorgeous and I kind of wanted to MOVE IN to the Home section on the second floor (or at least take up part-time residence in the leather Jack + Maggie club chairs). If you go, don't forget to look UP - sections of the original tin ceiling are still in place and oh-so-pretty.

hey baby.

2012-01-30T11:35:00.002Z

photos by Floyd York.

This weekend was spent almost entirely in the WARM COMPANY of our nearest and dearest - between a surprise party for Mitchell's brother on Friday and Saturday night's Sockets Showcase at Black Cat, I got to LAY EYES on just about every family member/familiar face in this city. Sunday was MORE OF THE SAME, when we (with the help of our friend Travis) hosted what ended up being BABY'S FIRST WING PARTY for our new niece, Aurora. More on that (and WAY, WAY more on WINGS) tomorrow.

tomorrow.

2012-01-27T13:15:00.003Z

click it.

flickr friday.

2012-01-27T10:29:00.004Z

from the mixed up flickr files of panda head blog.

For the cover of Panda Head Mag: Issue 3, art editor Nilay Lawson and I built a GIRL FORT - inspired by slumber parties and all things dreamy - in my living room. Photographer Alyssa Lesser perfectly captured the COZY-TENENBAUM-CAMPOUT vibe we were going for, and this photo served as our back cover. Not pictured: the felt "flames" Nilay installed in the fireplace (I kept them there for about a year afterwards), and FORT RESIDENT/cover model Kathryn Beale's wildly-appropriate coonskin cap.

Panda Mag: Issue 3 cover shoot
Photo by Alyssa Lesser
FORT by Morgan Hungerford West and Nilay Lawson
Issue 3 Design by Erik Loften.

are you sure it isn't 50 ways to love your leaver?

2012-01-26T09:09:00.001Z

wild, man, wild.

2012-01-25T15:04:00.005Z

via via via; photo: olivia malone

This Mara Hoffman image is giving off DANGEROUS tropical-Kahlo-voodoo vibes/has added to list of things to think about, re: lipstick.

MY LIFE IS A DARK ROOM.

2012-01-25T10:35:00.000Z

ONE, BIG, DARK, ROOM.

I think I'm FINALLY going through my TEEN GOTH phase.

HOME DECOR.

2012-01-24T14:56:00.003Z

One part Wary Meyers, one part Trigger Happy TV; I found this MASSIVELY OVERSIZED CELLULAR TELEPHONE in a dark corner of my in-laws' basement. One man's trash, etc. etc.

they had me at hayek.

2012-01-24T10:52:00.003Z

The repercussions of last week's Golden Globes are still visible around the house, most obviously in our current chalkboard SITUATION; less obviously ON MY COCONUT. Wait - was the entire broadcast NOT one long, convincing argument for the BRUNETTE CENTER-PART? I'm confused.

in which i admit my blatant uncool.

2012-01-23T18:12:00.000Z

photo FLOYD YORK.

Thanks so much to Mathew at Social Studies DC for asking me to put together a 5-song playlist for today's Music Monday feature! I picked some of my favorite songs that may or may not crossover with YOUR MOM'S (heyyyy, Lindsey Buckingham); with no further (SOFT ROCK) spoilers, check the playlist here! And thank you again, Social Studies!

DATE NIGHT.

2012-01-23T11:40:00.007Z

DINOSAUR BONE!!!

Friday night saw a first trip to Boundary Stone. The place is all exposed brick and FLATTERING LIGHTING (2 out of 3 of my situational needs, the third being WINE - DING DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER), and the beer list was well-curated, with the inclusion of local breweries (meaning Mitchell is LEGALLY OBLIGATED to cast his vote here). Legal obligations (and lighting) aside, we had a great time AND the food was delicious - the only ISSUE we ran into was my ordering the pork shank/fingerling potato/savoy cabbage special and Mitchell going for the confit of chicken; when everything came out the pork shank was the size of my head and the citrus dressing on his side salad glistened like a thousand suns shining upon a diamond. We enjoyed the first few bites of our INITIAL DECISIONS while staring covetously at each other plates, then wordlessly switched entrees FOR THE WIN.
Their whiskey list was BLINGING but we opted to end the night back on our side of town; after NEW FANGLEDS at Smoke + Barre l we headed home just as the snow started falling (cue precious, rom-com, snow-walking montage; end montage on sour piano note/close-up of gnarly-city-snow-sludge in harsh, grey light of the following morning).

fryes > snow.

2012-01-22T10:54:00.000Z

motorcycle boots DON'T PLAY.

project preview.

2012-01-20T15:04:00.000Z

we're making progress/we're making pizza.

flickr friday.

2012-01-20T10:47:00.001Z

from the Panda Head Flickr vaults.

Last December, photographer C.Freeman and I got together with the lady-DJs of FUNBAGS to shoot some promo photos. I'd driven past this wall (around the corner from 9:30 Club) roughly ONE MILLION TIMES and had always wanted to do something there. It was completely freezing that day, but the girls brought their FAUX FUR GAME so hard that the weather wasn't an issue - at one point during the shoot I couldn't see over all the coats I had piled in my arms (AKA I WAS BLINDED BY LUXURY).

from Funbags DJs + Panda Head promo shoot.
photo by C.Freeman.

paperback writer.

2012-01-19T13:50:00.002Z

gimme that LIFE library.

We stopped by the Beth El Book Sale in Alexandria this past weekend; I made out with a $4 copy of On Beauty and some serious regret about what APARTMENT LIVING decreed we couldn't take home.
RELATED: about a decade ago my parents moved out of the house I grew up in, and into my grandparents' old (much smaller) house. My sister was in high school and still living with them, and one time on a FAMILY TRIP to Target she asked my Dad to buy her a kickball. He eyeballed the thing, and after a minute told her yes - but due to lack of storage she'd have to DEFLATE IT at night. He was kidding?

FREEBIRD.

2012-01-19T10:11:00.000Z

mother nature's son.

2012-01-18T17:25:00.002Z

background photo (full of thumback holes, duh) from a 2007 W.

In their previous incarnation, these large, polished beads were part of a choker that was always a little more CHOKE-Y than COLLAR-LIKE - gorgeous to look at; mega-uncomfortable to wear. In need of an earthy accessory to tone down the CUTE VINTAGE VIBEZ my polka-dot top was throwing out into the world (because I can't get down with PRETTY unless some of THIS magic is sprinkled on top), I deconstructed it to use one of the medium-sized pieces as a pendant - and since then have found its parts to be far more valuable than its whole. The only DOWNSIDE has been OPTION OVERLOAD: endless possibilities put a real damper on OUTFIT EFFICIENCY (but they do make it fun to get dressed).

obviously.

2012-01-18T15:45:00.000Z

www.americancensorship.org

pinkies in/pinkies out.

2012-01-17T12:15:00.000Z

Floyd/Lisa/Tess: not fancy/WAY fancy.

ch-ch-changes.

2012-01-16T18:14:00.001Z

It took a few weeks of FINAGLING, but there have been some exciting visual/formatting changes afoot at the Circle K: less posts on the main page (but - oh! please scroll to the bottom - easy access to everything recent), updated links lists, a Panda Head Blog FACEBOOK PRESENCE (if you're so inclined), and - most exciting of all - the addition of local advertisers. An enormous welcome to our friends at SMASH! Records (who, as it so happens, are offering a 20% discount at their Etsy Shop AS WE SPEAK).
Oh, and a thank you to YOU (and you, and you) as well - I fear few things more than THE REAPER, but one of them is most definitely VISUAL OFFENSE. Thanks for sticking around during the rough and tumble.

saturday afternoon.

2012-01-16T10:49:00.006Z

Chupacabra Tacos at the DC Brau Brewery: totally worth the trek to the outer limits of NE.

our friend is in the bahamas.

2012-01-15T10:54:00.000Z

an email excerpt:
WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. GUESS HOW MUCH A CASE OF BEER COSTS HERE? GUESS...I'LL GIVE YOU A HINT. IT'S THREE TIMES MORE THAN $22. SIXTY SIX FUCKING DOLLARS FOR A CASE OF BEER!!!!!! OH SHIT! MELISSA AND I STOPPED AT A FRUIT STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MELISSA WANTED 2 PINEAPPLES, 2 MANGOES, AND 2 AVOCADOES...$38!!!! THIS IS WHERE IT GETS REALLY TIGHT. THE GUY DIDN'T HAVE CHANGE FOR MELISSA'S $40 SO HE GAVE HER A FUCKING BANANA! YES!

leather pants/flannel shirt.

2012-01-14T21:01:00.000Z

get it, Fogerty.

flickr friday.

2012-01-13T17:50:00.000Z

there are some treasures in the Panda Head flickr account too good/funny/WEIRD not to be shared, and so: FLICKR FRIDAY.
Issue 2 of Panda Head Mag featured a spread of photos - by photographer Liz Gorman - of a Day of the Dead-themed dinner party. The menu is fuzzy but I'm pretty sure there were ENCHILADAS involved, and I definitely remember using black food coloring in the icing of the skull cake, not realizing that it would turn everyone's teeth a flattering shade of grey.
"Little Ghost: A Celebration of Dia de Los Muertos."
Photos by Liz Gorman, Issue 2 design by Erik Loften.

PROJECT PREVIEW.

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000Z

at work on a (second) John Powers collaboration.

bruce and clarence.

2012-01-12T22:00:00.001Z

bury me at sea.

2012-01-12T13:40:00.005Z

i have it on good authority: the original owner was GEORGE WASHINGTON.

A 2008 eBay purchase, this shirt has seen more action in the last 3 or 4 years than it probably did in its first 17. The washer/dryer, at this point, is a RISKY LITTLE MOVE; disintegration is IMMINENT. Retirement, however, is NOT AN OPTION - we're going KID GLOVES/SPECIAL OCCASIONS from now until the great beyond.

the kills: the last goodbye.

2012-01-12T09:47:00.000Z

via Nowness.

sad; hats.

2012-01-11T19:25:00.002Z

wrongful imprisonment.

2012-01-11T13:43:00.004Z

this is why you (I) can never, ever, ever clean out your (my) closet.
This dress hung in my closet, unworn, for SIX YEARS; its release was celebrated with a Butcher's Board at Birch & Barley.

must. make. mmmmm.

2012-01-10T16:09:00.001Z

Marlow & Sons Brick Chicken - via Milk & Mode.

the sinister right hand.

2012-01-10T14:08:00.001Z

a companion piece.

home/office.

2012-01-10T09:54:00.004Z

I hold a (strong, but likely unpopular) belief that thumbtacks are like little jewels, and should be strewn across walls in an ACCORDINGLY KINGLY FASHION.

PEE WEE 2012.

2012-01-09T17:55:00.005Z

mural info here.

recap.

2012-01-09T10:55:00.002Z

okay yes, i see what you did there.

Friday night was spent celebrating my birthday with friends at Smoke + Barrel, where such a good time was had that we woke up Saturday morning to the above, late night PIZZA STORAGE decision. A) No one needs to see Jumbo Slice in the harsh light of day; it should exist only as a shimmering, intangible mirage of a memory. B) THAT'S NOT WHERE THAT GOES.
The weekend, overall, had that impossible quality of being both event-filled AND relaxing. Elvis Birthday Fight Club was just as fun/sexy/cartoon-violence-filled as we were hoping, Sunday morning I edited some KID FICTION for 826DC (one story ended with Zombie Hitler successfully taking over the world - it was incredible), and a Game of Thrones MARATHON closed out the evening.
I hope your own weekend was as PRODUCTIVE/LAZY (though I think there's only one of those allowed per six months; there is no rollover. When they sneak up on you they must be used WISELY).

JALOUSE.

2012-01-08T15:43:00.001Z

this is pretty amazing.

FREE TAPES.

2012-01-07T13:29:00.000Z

I bet that MADONNA MIX is pretty good.

ELVIS BIRTHDAY FIGHT CLUB.

2012-01-06T16:55:00.004Z

will you still love me when i'm in my carbohydrate, sequined-jumpsuit, young-girls-in-white-cotton-panties, waking-up-in-a-pool-of-your-own-vomit, bloated-purple-dead-on-a-toilet phase? okay. party. bonus.

Keeping the BURLESQUE VIBES going through the weekend, Saturday we're headed to The Warehouse for Elvis Birthday Fight Club, in honor of what would have been Elvis's 77th birthday (also in honor of MY birthday, as Wednesdays are good for partying with your parents but that's IT). BYT ran a great preview earlier this week; I missed the show last year and am siked to have gotten tickets this time around. Two additional performances were added and the second has already sold out - tickets to the 11PM show are still available here ; see you there. Hopefully I'll be the only one wearing THESE, as I can think of no more appropriate shoe for this event.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES (round two).

2012-01-06T13:30:00.000Z

UPGRADING THE TEMPLATE; THERE WILL BE BLOODSHED.

flickr friday.

2012-01-06T09:49:00.006Z

there are some treasures in the Panda Head flickr account too good/funny/WEIRD not to be shared, and as such: FLICKR FRIDAY is BORN.

This shoot, from Panda Head Mag: Issue 4, was one of my faves. Nilay Lawson and I collaborated with performance artist Melissa Krodman - OuiOui NonNon - for a burlesque re-telling of the myth of PERSEPHONE; we teamed up with photographer Chris Chen and shot the feature at the Palace of Wonders (now the Red Palace). We had such a blast at the shoot; at one point Nilay and I found ourselves on an H Street FALSE EYELASH scavenger hunt, and there may or may not be some dirty cellphone pics of PASTIES TRYINGS-ON floating around in this world. The result was the above; it was a very good day.

"The Myth of Persephone, as told by OuiOui NonNon." Photos by Chris Chen, Styling by Morgan Hungerford, Props by Nilay Lawson, Issue 4 Design by Erik Loften.

the red line...

2012-01-05T18:25:00.000Z

...can be a lonely place.

gifted.

2012-01-05T09:33:00.001Z

my birthday was an embarrassment of riches.

BIRTHDAZE.

2012-01-04T14:01:00.002Z

from T.Richardson's tumblr.

The first year I was in DC I babysat a couple of times for this family in Cleveland Park. Their Mom would come into the coffee shop I worked at, and I guess my STELLAR LATTE SKILLS proved me responsible enough to leave her two children with. The kids were cool - especially the older girl. She was probably like 7, super-smart, really funny, and that awesome kind of KID WEIRD (she once, in a dimly-lit living room, told me that the KAZOO she was playing was actually a flute, but not just ANY flute - THIS flute had been GIVEN to her by MARTIN LUTHER KING, but when he was just a boy, before he was a man. These were her exact words; to date it is the absolute SPOOKIEST thing anyone has EVER said to me, and also the only time in my life that I had to physically PINCH myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming/hallucinating/accidentally on acid. Because for a second I BELIEVED her). One of the last times I sat for them she asked me how old I was, and when I told her I was 25 she looked at me with eyes like SAUCERS and screamed: TWENTY FIVE? TWENTY FIVE! YOU'RE SO OLD YOU'RE ALMOST DEAD.
Today I turned THIRTY ONE! And in an almost as-generous gesture as Little Miss MLK Flute's, it's been pointed out to me that 31 is almost 32, which is the equivalent of TWO Super Sweet Sixteens. So we can all look forward next year's OPULENT celebration...I'm tryna get P. Diddy; I'll keep you posted.

arsenal.

2012-01-04T10:03:00.001Z

Drugstore lipsticks: EIGHT DOLLAR TREASURES.

dreamcatcher-y? dreamcatcher-ISH?

2012-01-03T15:00:00.004Z

The idea of walking up to someone's windows, pulling out my camera, and proceeding to TAKE PICTURES did give me pause, but then I thought HEY, if they're going to put those amazing crochet THINGS up for all the street to see then they are, in a sense, ASKING FOR IT. CLICK CLICK.

moonstruck.

2012-01-03T09:21:00.000Z

Mitchell and I found ourselves in need of NYE plans after our pajama-jammy-jam fell through at the last minute; a mutual interest in PORK CHOPS and PASTA led to a late-night, Italian dinner at home. After ~~pulling out Volume "I" of the Enyclopedia Brittanica and doing some serious research~~ a four second Google of "New Year's, Italian-style," we incorporated lentils to the menu (for money and GOOD FORTUNE in 2012), made a trip to the A.M. Wine Shoppe (for parmesan; probably the most authentic part of our evening), and excused ourselves to wardrobe/hair/makeup to cobble together our very best impressions of vintage ITALIA.
As we rang in the New Year with Amaretto (me) and single malt Scotch (MIO MARITO), we were elated in the realization that we may have accidentally started a new tradition. BUT. While this year we refrained from taking part in the post-New Year's dinner, out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new, Italian tradition of tossing the dishes out the window - I can't promise the same restraint next year. We STILL have plates in the sink.

ONE: ricotta and basil crostini with olive oil, lemon zest, and black sea salt. TWO: an EXTREME CLOSE UP of some Very Handsome Anchovies (and romaine, and parmesan, and olive oil/balsamic). THREE: roasted tomatoes, zucchini, and garlic - all about to meet their maker (aka the food processor and a WHOLE LOT of basil). FOUR: our table; please note that SANTA SOPHIA joined us for dinner. FIVE: SOUNDTRACK. "Al Di La" was the HIT of the night. SIX: lemon sorbet and my grandmother's (espresso-filled) teacups. SEVEN: after dinner we found out our friend Nelson was USTREAM DJing; we did a LOT of embarrassing AIR KEYBOARDING and other assorted tomfoolery to Stevie Wonder, KC and the Sunshine Band, LL Cool J, etc. EIGHT + EIGHT 1/2: that's amore.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

2012-01-02T22:26:00.009Z

remember this?

Depending on WHAT TIME you happened upon this blog today, you may have experienced some HAIRY SITUATIONS while I was messing around with the template. Apologies for anything dreadful that you may have borne witness to; I hope you will accept restitution in the form of the above drawing (by my friend Trae)? I found it - amongst many other gems (most of which I have more pride in) when I was digging around in my flickr account. Enjoy?

i'm into it.

2012-01-02T11:25:00.000Z

humdinger.

2011-12-29T22:09:00.007Z

happy new year!

This year was MONUMENTAL. In somewhat chronological order: I turned 30, visited my brother in ISTANBUL, got matching NO STAIRWAY tattoos with my sister, got engaged, blew through a ton of books, movies, and TV shows, listened to a weird amount of Rod Stewart and Paul McCartney, got married and went to Mexico - WHERE WE SAW A SHARK, had innumberable (and wonderful) dinners and drinks and weekends with dear friends, shared in some really MAGIC engagements and weddings and birthdays of those same friends, made big decisions regarding WORK and LIFE, strategized for 2012, and - and this one is SO exciting - am expecting a brand new NIECE in a matter of DAYS. I sincerely hope your year was as much of a humdinger, and am terribly grateful that you spent a little bit of your own 2011 here on this blog.
New Year's Eve will see me all dolled up in my new pajama set (a la one of the Darling children), celebrating with family. Glitter Litas seem an appropriate footwear choice, no? Yes.
Happy New Year!

karmic shore-up.

2011-12-29T14:31:00.002Z

ipromisetovolunteernextyearsorryheressomemoneybye.

GIVING is a very good note on which to end the year; 826DC would be an excellent (and local) recipient.

is it wrong...

2011-12-29T11:43:00.000Z

wait. I want to look like this.

...that my husband went out of town and I reorganized his closet? And compiled a little list of clothing items needed to SUPPLEMENT his current wardrobe? And stopped JUST short of planning next week's outfits for him? Yes? I thought so. OH WELL/TOO LATE/SORRY SWEETIE.
Related: this GQ Year In Style slideshow is a really fun read.

kimono ono.

2011-12-28T17:27:00.002Z

$3 at THE THRIFT, this silk kimono top/bed jacket is already in the NEGATIVE CENTS re: cost per wear. Not pictured: the slightest WHISPER of a shoulder pad and an affinity with any lipstick or nail polish in the FESTIVE category.

nothin gets me down.

2011-12-28T11:53:00.000Z

is anyone else worried about DLR hurting himself?

When I was young - like, really young, 6? - I remember riding in the car with my Dad. He had this habit of making a KARATE CHOP motion with his hand against the steering wheel - I'd catch him doing it all the time. I never found out WHY he did it; maybe he'd made a stong point during some internal dialogue, or maybe it was just nothing. Whatever the reason, he would karate chop incessantly, and I loved it. This story is not about that karate chop.
One time, when I was young, I was riding in the car with my Dad and he'd rewound and replayed, for the ninth or tenth time, a song on the Van Halen cassette we were listening to. I'd love to tell you it was "Jump" but really it WAS 1987-ish, and my Dad, after all, has always been much more of a Van Hagar, Cabo-Wabo-on-the-beach kind of guy than he is a DLR (while this is a bad quality in a boyfriend, it is perfectly acceptable - even PREFERABLE - in a Dad). From the backseat I asked him - with ATTITUDE - why we were listening to this song over and over, and the man locked eyes with me in the rearview mirror and answered simply: "Because it makes me feel good."
I got it then. I GET IT now.

WHO WANTS TO FIGHT?

2011-12-27T13:14:00.007Z

"Have you ever shot a charging lion?"

We've been REVELING in a little downtime and there has been some serious CATCHING UP ON MOVIES going on at our house - the hands down favorite being Midnight in Paris. Funny and sweet and full of little moments like the above (Hemingway just about killed me, as did Adrien Brody as DALI); I haven't enjoyed Owen Wilson that much since, well, this.
Equally excellent - and also FRENCH ACCENT-FILLED - was Mike Mills' Beginners, which had me IN TEARS at the end (but they were those good, like, LIFE-AFFIRMING tears so don't be afraid to watch it; I always put off watching movies that I think will take an emotional TOLL. This is why I didn't watch PRECIOUS until it was Watch Instantly on Netflix and staring me in the face everytime I logged in, and also why I've only ever seen the first ten minutes of UP).
I'm not big on NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS but I am planning to make more time for THE CINEMA next year. Oh, and also DINNER PARTIES, but apparently I say that every year.

too good.

2011-12-27T11:51:00.001Z

silk jammies

2011-12-25T23:14:00.001Z

and a new PANDA HEADer. merry christmas/happy holidays, kittens.

solid food?

2011-12-23T17:13:00.001Z

what's that?

funfetti.

2011-12-22T19:17:00.002Z

this Levi's ad is killing me. via Tomboy Style.

POST-VOGUE.

2011-12-22T15:56:00.009Z

There's an article in today's NYTimes about what Carine Roitfeld has been doing with herself, POST-VOGUE; activities include having been CELEBRATED, having COLLABORATED, and having given "two of the most outrageous parties ever seen." It is on that (exceptionally aspirational) note that I share my own little news - I, too, am POST-VOGUE, and will be putting the bulk of my energies into CREATIVE ENDEAVORS in 2012. It's a little bit scary but mostly very, very exciting, and I'm thrilled to bring to fruition some projects that have been moping around in my head as of late, achin' for a little bit of time and attention. Because if the world needs more of ANYTHING, it's funerals for our appliances and stories about my life...right? Here's hoping.

chomp.

2011-12-21T18:42:00.001Z

dijon-braised brussels sprouts at smitten kitchen.

show off.

2011-12-21T15:24:00.003Z

My husband is convinced that "Why Don't We Do It in the Road" could have been left off the White Album. I DISAGREE. I do, however, see his point regarding track listing: you've got poor Ringo just DOING HIS BEST on "Don't Pass Me By" and then Paul's gotta come in like THAT? WE ALL KNOW YOU CAN SING, MCCARTNEY. DON'T RUB IT IN.

witchy woman.

2011-12-20T19:43:00.009Z

get it, stevie.

I unearthed a surprising number of treasures/last-minute GIFTS from the record bins at the thrift store this morning, including a copy of the above. "Stop Draggin My Heart Around" and "Edge of Seventeen" are both totally great songs, but if you don't think that ruched, crushed-velvet LEGWARMER she's rocking on top of those naaaasty platforms wasn't reason enough to have shelled out the ninetynine cents then I JUST MIGHT NOT HAVE WORDS FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.

dr. dazzle.

2011-12-20T14:19:00.003Z

just surgically removed a sequin from the underside of my laptop's spacebar; these holiday parties are REALLY taking a toll.

grAT(T)ITUDE.

2011-12-19T15:45:00.006Z

I GOT YOU SOMETHING FOR CHRISTMAS IT'S A GRATITUDE ADJUSTMENT.

1. An enormous thank you to Daisy and Matt of SMASH! Records for the opportunity to design the Holiday window! I could not have had a better time putting it together, and with SMASH! being the institution that is is, I was doubly stoked/honored to get to work with those guys.
2. Many thanks to all of you who were able to make it to the SMASH! Holiday Bash this past Thursday - we had such a blast and hope that you did too.
3. GRACIAS to both Smoke & Barrel (for the DELICIOUS barbecue and snacks) and St-Germain (for the lovely cocktails and racy, racy postcards) for the PARTY PROVISIONS - everything was enjoyed to the very last bite and/or drop. NOM.
4. An "oh, gosh, thanks guys!" to Refinery29 DC, Social Studies, and everyone else who helped get the word out about the party! Your support made us feel all warm and snuggy and filled with the joy of a million strands of christmas lights.

it's christmastime in the city...

2011-12-17T18:27:00.003Z

BEHOLD: OUR CHRISTMAS BRANCH!
...and there is NO ROOM at the inn for a tree.

COME GET DOWN.

2011-12-15T13:30:00.001Z

TONIGHT at SMASH!

white reindeer.

2011-12-13T21:37:00.003Z

from z.clark's MODERN LOVE IS AUTOMATIC.

This past Sunday morning saw me skulking around an alley behind a Crystal City STRIP CLUB; the front door was locked and I needed to get inside to find my husband. ESCANDALO! NOT. He was there as an EXTRA in a scene for the currently-in-production movie WHITE REINDEER, the third film from writer/director (and ALEXANDRIA KID) Zach Clark. Another scene is being filmed tomorrow - Wednesday, December 14 - at 2PM at the Black Cat; the ACTORS among you are asked to show up ready to dance to The Points (a Points SONG, not like THE POINTS), to dress HIP, and to avoid wearing logos/bright red/bright green. DO IT! GO FOR THE GOLD! STARDOM!

double bubble.

2011-12-12T23:27:00.004Z

space: making me dizzy since 1981.

i get SO STOKED every time i'm reminded that the hubble images a) EXIST and b) are public domain; currently debating turning the house into an outer space DIORAMA.

smooth jazz.

2011-12-12T17:53:00.000Z

jenni kayne pre-fall 2012. spotted here and here.

INSTALLED.

2011-12-11T23:50:00.002Z

YES!

The Smash! window is IN - if and when you find yourself on 18th St, please stop by and have a look! And should you find yourself there this Thursday evening between 6 and 9:3oPM, join the Smash! crew for their HOLIDAY BASH, with DJ sets from DJ Mad Squirrel, DJ Tanner, and DJ Conner, barbecue from Smoke + Barrel, and cocktails by St-Germain! Atrocious holiday gear is encouraged, and will be rewarded as seen fit. Hope to see you there!

smash records x panda head!

2011-12-07T20:23:00.000Z

ALL the glitters.

THE SECRET IS OUT - i'm so excited to announce that i'm designing the holiday window for SMASH RECORDS, and double-triple excited to celebrate it at the SMASH HOLIDAY BASH next thursday, december 15th. STAY TUNED for details!

a girl's guide to whisk(e)y.

2011-12-05T21:39:00.001Z

Smoke & Barrel. Doesn't it look like a beautiful sauna?

A Girls' Guide to Whisk(e)y, via Tomboy Style. If you haven't already been, an excellent place to put this plan into action would be 18th street's Smoke & Barrel.

EXTREME CLOSE UP.

2011-12-04T23:29:00.002Z

turkey pumpkin chili, with homebrewed indian brown ale.

lived in.

2011-12-04T18:12:00.002Z

vintage/eBayed DUDE LEBOWSKI sweater, vintage/eBayed tee, P+N kimono jacket, thrifted flares, New Kid boots, UO socks and purse pendant, my trusty silver chain, and thrifted hat. all afghans thrifted, and currently all snuggly in my bed.

the boss.

2011-12-02T18:04:00.007Z

For a couple of early-90s-Summers straight, my parents used my sister's and my vacations from school as opportunity to haul us up and down the East Coast to see the Atlanta Braves play. We would stay in the same hotels as the players and get our baseball cards autographed in the lobbies before and after the games. I don't know. Some families go to Disney World; this is just WHAT WE DID.
On one of these trips - maybe we were in Philadelphia? This could have been the same week that I choked on a roast beef sandwich in the cafeteria of the Children's Museum and my Dad had to give me the Heimlich Maneuver? Not sure. On one of these trips I caught glimpse of a fat bruise on my Mom's leg while we were eating breakfast; I asked her what it was from and she told me, matter-of-factly, that BRUCE had been in town the night before. She'd gotten a ticket. The bruise was from falling off the seat she'd been dancing on.
The most important lesson my mother ever taught me had nothing to do, at least implicitly, with being a woman. Fuck proper mascara application; fuck how to cook; fuck social graces; fuck it all. My Mom would blast Metallica's Black Album while driving me to horseback riding lessons. She'd blow through AA batteries playing Aerosmith tapes in her Walkman while mowing the lawn. She'd venture out into an unknown city in a denim jacket - leaving her husband and two-children-under-twelve safely ensconced in hotel rooms - to sing along with THE BOSS until it literally hurt. That big purple bruise was an inadvertent education in American rock and roll. That bruise was an ethos. That bruise is in my blood.

HEADLINES.

2011-12-02T12:54:00.000Z

I'm planning my LOOK for an upcoming weekend to be spent in a CABIN in THE WOODS; am having trouble deciding between "ZIGGY STARDUST LANDS SPACESHIP IN SMALL MOUNTAIN TOWN" and "ROBERT PLANT KIDNAPS HEIRESS; SEEKS ASYLUM IN COMMUNE." Both involve inappropriate footwear; kimonos; eyelashes.

oh, yoko.

2011-12-01T20:05:00.000Z

get you some stretch velvet, girl.

meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeps.

2011-11-30T21:26:00.000Z

holy guacamole.

Congratulations to the Treasury fam - they're taking ownership of the Meeps boutique starting this Thursday, December 1st. They're all set to remodel and relaunch the shop in 2012 AND AND AND - BIG NEWS - they've got plans to offer BUY-SELL-TRADE alongside contemporary and vintage pieces. SO RAD.
They're celebrating at Meeps (2104 18th St. NW) this coming Tuesday, December 6, from 5-9PM. It's out with the old and in with the new - FILL A BAG FOR $20? GET IN THERE.

winner winner chicken dinner.

2011-11-30T21:21:00.001Z

i'll take ten of these kthanksbye.

an enormous thank you to cup of jo and TERRAIN - i am the Very Lucky Recipient of a $200 gift card, having been chosen AT RANDOM for this week's tuesday giveaway!
i have just one word, and it is: EEEEEEEEEEEK!

IN THE WORKS.

2011-11-29T18:58:00.001Z

I'm super stoked to announce that I'm working on a project in December with SMASH! (2314 18th St. NW). STAY TUNED for details and SNEAK PEEKS...all will be UNVEILED next month! Until then check out their brand new online outposts at the Smash Record and Vintage Shops - THEY'VE GOT CAT SCARVES. That is all.

with pesto.

2011-11-28T21:15:00.000Z

roasted cauliflower and pinenuts.

in memoriam.

2011-11-27T23:00:00.003Z

choose your own adventure.

After nearly eleven years of service, my $14 Mary-Kate & Ashley-brand blow dryer has gone to the big hair show in the sky. Her cool shot was mighty; her air flow triumphant - she will be missed.
A moment of silence, please, for my fallen friend.

mmmmalts.

2011-11-25T19:20:00.000Z

photo by c. freeman
Mitchell is brewing and the house smells GREAT.

gracias.

2011-11-24T15:04:00.008Z

i'm grateful for my husband, my family, my health, my home, dear friends, LOS ANIMALES, ray-bans, red wine, urgent drums, THIS CITY, late nights, early mornings, THE CONTINUING STORY OF BUNGALOW BILL, my food processor, little ideas/big projects, lightning bolts, teepees and afghans, bobby pins, the long stretttttch the dog gives when she knows she's going on a walk, SLEEP, the sunday paper, paul mccartney, interested parties/inquiring minds, black tights, BLACK JEANS, black velvet, honesty as the best policy, quick-witted women and kind-hearted men, wanting it good not wanting it wednesday, BARE MINERALS, fringe, and a flushed cheek.
happy thanksgiving, everybody.

wishlist.

2011-11-22T17:45:00.002Z

annnd this bitchin kimono.

i'd like an aloe plant and a very nice hairbrush.

let's get the ball rolling...

2011-11-21T18:25:00.002Z

...on these holiday parties, people. I'm itching to bust THE GOOD STUFF out of my closet.

huston hyphen nicholson.

2011-11-20T17:20:00.004Z

HUBBA HYPHEN HUBBA.

while my guitar gently weeps.

2011-11-19T20:26:00.014Z

GEORGE SAID YES.

When I was in High School I smoked WEED. I hung out with a bunch of WEED DEALERS and on the occasions that their supply dried up, my friends and I would pile into someone's car and drive into the city to buy a bag from whomever happened to be standing on the corner of 2nd and P, NE. I know NOW that this was dangerous (because NOW I've seen EVERY EPISODE of The Wire), but at the time it felt totally safe because we NEVER got out of the car (though I did know a kid who got carjacked there, and he probably operated under the same philosophy that we did. That said, when the police found the car a couple of weeks later and returned it to his parents there were new Alpine speakers installed and a never-worn North Face jacket in the back. The universe has a way of righting itself.). We'd head back to THE SUBURBS and find a street to park, smoke, and blast RAP MUSIC until dinnertime. I went home dumber every single day.
Everything about WEED felt illegal on a number of levels, and I started getting crazy paranoid whenever I smoked (like, do-I-have-two-bodies-one-on-the-inside-one-on-the-outside-does-everyone-hate-me-can-my-parents-see-me-is-there-an-alien-in-my-mouth-no-wait-are-you-sure-seriously-dude-is-there-an-alien-in-there-what-the-fuck paranoid). I realized that the only good thing that had come from my smoking was an evenhanded appreciation for both East Coast and West Coast rap, and JUST SAY NO became my mantra all through college and for several years after. It lasted through to my late 20s, when someone passed me a joint at a party and I was all "what the hell," and then someone else put a Zeppelin record on and my brain fucking exploded.
WHO KNEW? WHO KNEW that WEED was actually POT and that instead of getting FUCKED UP you could get STONED? That getting high didn't have to feel like your parents would disown you, but instead like maybe your whole family could move to a mountaintop and start an organic tambourine business and live together in a yurt and never, ever fight? That maybe, as an adult, a mild hallucinogenic was a GOOD and NECESSARY thing? I felt duped.
I made up for lost time with a hit here and there, a couple of times a month, always careful not to smoke more than I needed to get juuuuuuuust a little high (and as to NOT invite the aliens back into my mouth); if I'd been drinking I'd just ask one of my friends to exhale AT me and that was enough to float me into outerspace. This went on for about a year.
A couple of days before I turned 30 I went to the hospital, having had MAYBE two hits more than my usual ONE. At my sister's insistence (and with my entire body broken out in hives and my hands and feet swollen to twice their normal size), I rolled into the ER at 3 in the morning; by 3:10 I'd decided it was probably best NOT to tell the MEDICAL DOCTOR that I was HIGH on DRUGS; by 3:30 my swelling had gone down; somewhere around 3:45 it took every ounce of strength I had left to mumble "TSS?" without laughing when the doctor stared me in the face and asked what I thought the problem might have been. The answer was obvious, and I kept it to myself. I had OD'd on pot.
And so ended marijuana's second chance. While I maybe have one regret - I never listened to the White Album ON MARS - my JUST SAY NO campaign began, again and by necessity, at age 30. You kids can keep your pot. If you need me I'll be in the Pinot Grigio Lounge. Or taking a nap. BECAUSE I'M OLD.

yes, child.

2011-11-18T21:40:00.002Z

mmphh. wore a turtleneck under a maxidress tonight - with a pendant necklace and platforms. it was a STRUGGLE to not hand out 70s style affirmations while walking down the street. you GO, sister.