upon relocation to L.A., i'm determined not to let the fact that this is a DRIVING city get the best of me. my vintage ski town cruiser just doesn't quite have the need for speed (unless i'm just going on a quick jaunt around the neighborhood).

shopping around, i run into the Kona Africa Bike. the 3.0 has 3 speeds and comes with a basket on the front and a hoochadiggie on the back to carry whatever you need. jet black. i was sold.  and then i found out that for every 2 bikes sold, one is donated to Africa.  yay!  now i can take the canal bike path to the beach one way and go to work the other way avoiding the horrid $4.50/gallon for gas this summer, not to mention the good 'ol environment.

read all about it here:

http://www.konabiketown.com

check it out here:

http://www.konaworld.com/08_africabike3_w.htm

click here

so i go to the NY trade shows for my work with jules smith, and it's always every girls temptation...

every designer you can think of is there, and a lot of smaller companies will take orders from you personallly. that's what i'm talking about... WHOLESALE PRICES. even with a wholesale price tag, it can still be a good little chunk of change. but it's amazing how easy it is to convince yourself that you are getting the best bargain ever. because you are!

once you become used to being surrounded by all the goods. the goods the rest of the public has yet to see, and won't see for months to come, you start to realize that the only things you should really purchase are the ones you are still thinking about after day 2 of the show. so day 3, we all run around shopping. last show i wasn't wooed and applauded myself for not purchasing anything. this show i went for a super cool bag by Treesje. the girls who own the company seem super and the bag won me over not only with it's fashion AND function, but also the feel....softest leather ever. YUM.

http://www.treesje.com

local denver/boulder artist i have been following for years now and his growth is absoluting deserving. the only piece of art i have ever purchased from someone i didn't personally know.... the architectural lines reel me in along with the fem, but tough edges to his work. love love love.

http://www.jasonthielke.com

picked up these bad boys end of season !! 

i was lusting over them at one of the last trade shows.  thought i missed out until one of the goldenbleu girls contacted us to let us know they found an entire warehouse (? or something ?) and we could still get 'em!  they went out to one of their accounts and unfortunately i didn't ask where for anyone who is interested.  but i would try zappos.com, maybe bluefly.com??  google them!  goldenbleu waverly boots.  which ever retailer is should have them in a week or so as they shipped end of last week.

 of course today it is 70 degrees and i'm not thinkin' boots!!!

the "drop it" toggle by jules smith.

it's so light and swingy and easy and springy. (although a massive spring storm is quickly approaching the mountains of colorado where i am currently, but not permanently, located.)

it just seems to go with everything i own..... and if it doesn't, i seem to find a way to work it in. this piece was inspired by the toggles on the tug boats in the caribbean which makes this pendant pretty unique!

www.julessmithdesigns.com

to say the least....

i spent about 2 hours the other nite on this website. and then there were the other links....

if you are into food & wine, especially organic from farm to table, this is for you.

jim denevan is a chef, artist, surfer who is killing it!!! you just have to check it out.

http://www.outstandinginthefield.com

a few years old now, this book is simply inspirational.

Get it here

you can also check out this interview with owner/founder of patagonia, yvon chouinard HERE

having worked with Patagonia as a long time customer (their stuff lasts FOREVER and their customer service is amazing) and internally regarding photography, i have nothing but love.

saw this dress at coterie and must have!  but then i went to her website and found 3 others, 2 in particular, i also must have.  hmmmm.  she did say she is having a sample sale in early may, so, you have been given the heads up.

http://olgakapustinaonline.com 

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/