A Conversation on Cool

If I were to be properly cool, I wouldn't say a single thing 

 (Rene Magritte)

about this tumblr site.

(George Harrison in William Morris with Patty Boyd)

Or about these pictures.

 (Reverend Gary Davis)

So I'll just wish you a happy weekend.

(David Hemmings and Jane Birkin in Blowup)

And I'll see you in DECEMBER!!!!!!

India House, Santa Barbara and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

I forgot about these photos.

from our trip last summer through Santa Barbara.  We had dinner at this place.

It's called India House.  The decor is irresistible, isn't it?  And yes, you can sit on the floor on a pile of cushions to eat.  (Shoe removal mandatory!)  They offer a delicious, fresh, flavorful buffet.  The owner is a big happy genie of a man who presides over the entrance and the buffet and the Chef is almost equally as happy after his substantial kitchen labors.

It's extremely affordable.  And I just have to say, if someone put a gun to my head, I could not succeed in putting together this dizzy delicious assemblage of colors.

 But it makes me extremely cheerful that someone else did!

There is a small shop at the back where you can buy many of the things you see in these pictures.

(Note to self:  Remember to go back!!!!!!) 

Meanwhile, for those who have plans, I hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful and possibly restful.  For the rest of you, there is plenty to be thankful for, so have a big lovely dinner anyway whoever and wherever you are!  And hug your loved ones tight!

Changing Seasons

I'm trying to come to grips

(Photo: MaryAnn Moss of Dispatches from L.A.)  These are the lotuses in the Park that Echo Park is named for.

with the advance of winter.

(Photo: Emily Isabella here)

pretty pictures help!

(via England's Daily Mail)

More on all this soon.....Hope it was a good weekend!

Selvedge Winter Fair - London - SOON!

Don't Forget!

If you are in or near London next weekend, the Selvedge Winter Fair is on at the Chelsea Town Hall!

Link here.  I posted a little about last Spring's here.  Come back and tell me all about it!

Happy Hour - The Verdugo, Glassel Park

It's an up-and-coming neighborhood on the East Side of L.A.: Glassel Park

The Verdugo is one of the hipster upstarts in the neighborhood.

It started out as a very dark bar with curvy black leather banquettes.

Now it's rockin' that European vibe with a really nice outdoor "beer garden".  It's a good thing.

Have a lovely weekend everybody!!!!!

Descanso Gardens - In L.A. We are Spoilt for Choice

We have three desert gardens in L.A.  The Huntington, The L.A. Arboretum,

This one is Descanso Gardens.

It is especially known for its Camellias in Spring.

I was able to buy some delicious fraises des bois plants here.

There are naturalistic wildlife habitats.

And a Japanese Garden.

With a very full koi pond.

California redwoods of course.

In summer, it's all about the California desert.

Moody walks over crunchy pine needles and brush.

Friendly and hungry little critters.

Places for you to top up your tummy too!  It's nice and quiet too!  Spoiled we are.

How's that for a nice sunny distraction from the holidays!!!????  Hope your preparations are going well.

More Echo Park, Maybe? i.e., Part Two

It's not what you think.

But I think it's O.K. to think what you'd like.  

This is the hip-ironic-jokey retail storefront for Dave Eggers' community "non-profit writing and tutoring center" also known as 826LA.....aka......Echo Park Time Travel Mart.  For youngsters from the neighborhood.

This little stretch of Sunset Blvd. will help deepen your understanding of the neighborhood's

mashup of culture

and even, it's DNA.  Have I mentioned that luminaries from Jackson Pollock to Art Pepper, Marilyn Horne to Frank Zappa have variously made their homes here?

And then there's....... Two Boots pizza from the West Village in NYC?

So yes, sometimes it's o.k. to think that hipster Angelenos are just a bunch of transplanted NY'ers looking for better weather and cheaper rent.  And a Brite Spot (apparently they have GREAT PIE!) from which to put the finishing touches on their art conceptualizations or groundbreaking screenplays.

But you would be equally within your rights to imagine that some Angelenos are actually FROM HERE.  And have been here for a very very long time.

No wait, but I did say "Mashup".  Here in Echo Park, do not be surprised to find Vietnamese restaurants.

Locavore restaurants like Red Hill.

Old school corner liquor stores for all your home entertaining needs.

Fashion trends just waiting to be renewed.

Shopping options open all hours.

Space to express yourself, and room to rest.

Remember this post, about Sunset Beer?  Or Echo Park, Part One?

In Echo Park, they're doing their level best to KEEP IT IN THE 'HOOD.  "Keepin' it local......"

Whatever that might mean.  Today.  Yesterday.  Or Tomorrow.

Ivan Terestchenko Part Three - Little Gifts

These photos from Ivan Terestchenko seem to me to be all about the transition of Summer to Autumn.......

depending on what your autumn is looking like.

Which one could be

yours?  Have a wonderful, cozy weekend please!

Ivan Terestchenko, Part Two - Interiors

These photos of an interior designed by Dimore Studio in Milan are so gorgeous.

The light is so velvety and captures these beautiful tones so perfectly.

It reflects the perfect restraint and softness of the decor.  I'm so jealous and inspired by the way Ivan Terestchenko photographed the light in this room that I ran out last week and bought some new filters for my camera!  

Yes do go to his site and see them without the extra pixillation!

Ivan Terestchenko - What Can I Add?

Hello everybody!  How was your weekend?  Hope it was a good one.  I'm inaugurating an Ivan Terestchenko week over here at Passage Paradis.

Since I've been slacking a little in the photo department lately.  (I hope to be able to explain about all my recent distractions soon.)

Anyway, this is I. Terestchenko's  take on L.A. this summer.  But there is so much more to this photographer.  I hadn't checked in with him lately but oh my.  Wonderful stuff!

I'll be posting more of his photos this week SO WATCH THIS SPACE -- or just go to his blog here!